HR Notices From January 15
Former Oracle Exec Named New CEO Of Plex: Following recent investments from Francisco Partners and Accel Partners, Plex Systems, the provider of cloud-based ERP for manufacturers, announced the appointment of technology industry veteran Jason Blessing as the company's CEO. The appointment comes at a time when the company is entering its next growth phase, resulting from small and medium-sized manufacturers making the critical business decision to embrace cloud-based ERP systems. Blessing joins Plex Systems from Oracle, where he was senior vice president of application development. Previously, he held a variety of executive roles at Taleo, including general manager of its small and medium-sized business unit and, most recently, executive vice president of products and technology. Taleo, a pioneer in cloud-based talent management solutions, was acquired by Oracle last year. Blessing has also held a variety of executive positions at PeopleSoft, Oracle and Price Waterhouse during his 20-year career in enterprise software. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Blessing will direct the expansion of Plex Systems as the company continues to invest in its expanding sales force and its award-winning "shop floor to top floor" technology for ERP, manufacturing execution, quality management, supply chain management and business intelligence. More at www.plex.com.
ViSole Energy Announces New CEO Len Jornlin: Troy-based ViSole Energy announced that Len Jornlin, founder and CEO of Empower Energies LLC and a former senior executive at SunEdison LLC, is joining the company as CEO effective immediately. Mr. Jornlin replaces Abe Morris, who will become vice chairman of the ViSole Energy board of directors. During a 25-year career in renewable energy, Jornlin has been integral in developing renewable energy markets and projects in the more advanced European markets, the growing market in the United States, and emerging clean energy markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He will leverage this extensive experience to further build ViSole Energy's domestic and international presence in the solar and renewable industry. Jornlin brings significant management experience from across the entire clean-energy value chain. In partnership with in-country developers, he has concluded solar, wind, biomass, and waste technology investments and acquisitions totaling almost $400 million. Early in his career, Jornlin worked for BP Solar International, AstroPower Inc., Bell Atlantic Regulatory Affairs (now Verizon), and the governor of Delaware. He earned a master's degree from the University of Chicago in international business and a bachelor's degree from Colgate University. ViSole Energy is a renewable power energy services platform focused on the commercial-scale segment of the solar market, and electric vehicle solar charging stations for General Motors and other customers, both in the United States and internationally. More information about ViSole Energy can be found at www.visole-energy.com.
DTE Energy Announces Leadership Changes: As part of DTE Energy's ongoing work to strengthen the relationships with the communities it serves, and enhance the experience of its leadership team, the company announced the following changes, effective immediately. Joyce Hayes Giles is appointed assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of public affairs. In her new role, Giles has overall responsibility for the company's outreach initiatives to its communities. She serves as the DTE Energy Foundation chair, working with other Foundation board members to develop strategy. She also leads the company's many other community outreach efforts. Giles previously served as assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of customer service for DTE Energy. Giles reports directly to DTE's Chairman, President and CEO Gerry Anderson. Also, Fred Shell, vice president of corporate and government affairs and president of the DTE Energy Foundation announced Jennifer Whitteaker as manager of corporate contributions and community involvement. In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the company's philanthropic contributions and for planning and managing the company's charitable contributions programs including the DTE Energy Foundation and corporate cash contributions; donation of services and surplus materials and matching gift programs. Whitteaker joined DTE in 1992 and most recently served in the role of regional manager. Whitteaker replaces Karla Hall, who served as manager of corporate contributions and community involvement, and vice president of the DTE Energy Foundation. Hall has been named manager, civic affairs. In this new role, Hall will develop strategies and identify opportunities for DTE to better serve the needs of the community. Hall joined DTE Energy in 1997, as administrator of corporate contributions and secretary of the Detroit Edison Foundation. Prior to joining DTE, Hall managed the philanthropic programs at three other Michigan-based companies. Hall and Whitteaker will remain part of the company's corporate and government affairs group led by Shell. More at www.dteenergy.com.
