Hobbs & Towne Assists Smart Wires in CEO Search.

10 February, 2021
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February 10, 2021 – Executive search firm Hobbs & Towne has recruited renewable energy and power industry veteran Peter Wells as the new CEO of Smart Wires in Union City, CA. The company is backed by 3×5 Partners and Lime Rock New Energy. Founding partner and CEO Andy Towne and vice president Tom Watchko led the assignment. “We are thrilled to have Peter Wells joining Smart Wires at this important time for the company,” said Tom Voss, chairman of Smart Wires. “Smart Wires has built significant global momentum and is well positioned for continued growth with its SmartValve product line. Peter’s deep experience and relationships in the power industry, understanding of renewable energy drivers, customer needs, broad experience, and results make Peter the ideal leader for Smart Wires,” he said. “In short, Peter is an incredibly skilled executive whose global power industry experience positions him well to lead Smart Wires through our next phase of growth.”

Mr. Wells brings over three decades of global leadership experience in energy and renewable energy, spanning projects, products and services, and manufacturing. He comes to Smart Wires from GE Renewable Energy, where he served as CEO, Onshore Wind for Europe and Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region. During his tenure, GE went from sixth to third in the market, doubling its volume and market reach. Before that, Mr. Wells was SVP and COO for services and projects for Vestas Americas. he joined Vestas in 2015 when Vestas acquired UpWind Solutions. During his tenure as CEO of UpWind Solutions, Mr. Wells grew the business 10-fold to more than 3.5 gigawatt of generating capacity under a long-term contract.

“I am excited to be joining Smart Wires at this important juncture in the company’s growth, and by the tremendous opportunity in front of the company,” Mr. Wells said. “I have spent a large part of my career in renewable energy, and the transmission capacity constraints of our aging electric grids globally is a key bottleneck we must unlock to achieve rapid, widespread decarbonization. The potential for impact is larger here than anywhere else in the electric sector.”

Smart Wires develops and implements technologies that advance the delivery of electricity. With its next generation SmartValve technology, alongside our advanced analytics and consulting services, we are built to assist utilities solve problems and evolve the grid. Smart Wires also has European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and a global workforce.

Veteran Consultants

Founded in 1997, Hobbs & Towne is an executive search and advisory services firm. Partnering with venture capital, private equity and family office investors, as well as large, global companies, the firm has recruited across some of the most impactful technology categories, including but not limited to aerospace, agriculture, AI, bio and medical, data science, energy, food, IOT, mobility, robotics and sustainability. Hobbs & Towne has performed over 2,500 executive searches over the last 20-plus years. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London.

Hobbs & Towne’s advisory practice was launched in 2016, with services including M&A advisory; leadership assessment and executive coaching; interim management; restructuring advisory; capital raise advisory; and diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory.

 

Company: Smart Wires
Job: Chief Executive Officer
Candidate: Peter Wells

Source: Hunt Scanlon

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