Konarka Technologies, Inc. announced that Rick Hess has been named to the newly created position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Howard Berke, Konarka's founder, will continue in the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"Rick is recognized for his ability to assess technologies and commercialize electronic technology components that meet specific customer needs bringing products from the lab, through scale-up and commercialization in the electronics industry," commented Howard Berke. "Having led businesses in both high growth stages and start-up situations, Rick is a skilled motivator, team leader and communicator, to whom I am pleased to turn over Konarka's day-to-day operations and lead it into its next phase of commercialization."
Hess has a broad background as a leader in both start-up companies and established corporations. Prior to joining Konarka, he was Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Fuel Cell Technologies, a venture-backed company in Burlington, Massachusetts. He was previously President of M/A-COM, a manufacturer, designer and marketer of high frequency components and systems for the wireless, defense, public safety and automotive markets, and now a unit of Tyco Electronics, the largest business unit of Tyco International. He led a team that more than doubled its business through launching new products, entering new markets and completing acquisitions. After beginning his career as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric, Hess founded Stable Energy Sources, a manufacturer of microwave subsystems and components serving military and industrial accounts. He built this company before merging it with Herley Industries, and then leading the combined company as President.
"Konarka has steadily expanded its presence in the solar industry, making considerable advances in its photovoltaic technology, and it will be my responsibility to lead this organization into its next phase," commented Rick Hess. "I look forward to working with Howard Berke and the rest of the Konarka team during this exciting period."
Hess has been active in community affairs as a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Regional Competitive Council, a Trustee of Lowell General Hospital and a member of the University of Massachusetts Lowell Industry Board of Advisors. He has been honored as the recipient of the University of Massachusetts Lifetime Achievement in Engineering Award. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and a M.S. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
