FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of efficient, ultra-clean power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, announced the election of R. Daniel Brdar as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Brdar, previously FuelCell Energy’s President and Chief Operating Officer, retains his title of President while taking over for Jerry D. Leitman as CEO. Leitman, who has led the Company since 1997, will assist Brdar in a strategic advisory role and will remain as Chairman of the Board in the Company’s planned management succession.
Since joining FuelCell Energy in 2000, Brdar has been a leader in the Company’s sales and marketing, manufacturing, and product development organizations. He has been instrumental in achieving Company milestones; addressing customer expectations of product performance and reliability; driving cost out of the product to open broad markets; and penetrating key repeatable market segments. In 2005, his contributions were recognized with his promotion to President and COO while being named to the Company’s Board of Directors.
“Dan’s accomplishments in nearly every functional area of the Company have been integral to our achievements over the past few years,” Leitman said. “The Board and I believe that his operational experience and performance, combined with his strategic vision for our products provides the necessary leadership for FuelCell Energy to achieve profitability.”
“Jerry has set the stage for this growth opportunity,” he added. “He transitioned us from a contract R&D operation to a global commercial fuel cell products company. His continued assistance will be extremely valuable to FuelCell Energy and me.”
In addition to his duties as Chairman, Jerry Leitman will assist the Company to expand global strategic, government and commercial relationships.
Brdar has 24 years of combined technology development and new product introduction experience in a variety of executive positions around the industry. Prior to joining FuelCell Energy, he held management positions at General Electric, where he focused on new product introduction programs for its GE Power Systems business unit, and was product manager for its gas turbine technology. Prior to GE he was Associate Director, Office of Power Systems Product Management, at the U.S. Department of Energy where he was responsible for directing the research, development and demonstration of advanced power systems including advanced gas turbines, gasification systems and fuel cells.
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