Semiconductor and solar cell manufacturing equipment company Applied Materials said last week that it has appointed former US Department of Energy (DOE) executive Alexander "Andy" Karsner to serve on its board of directors, and as a member of the strategy committee of the board.

From March 2006 to August of this year, Karsner served as assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the US Department of Energy (DOE) during which time he managed the US's $1.72 billion federal applied science, research, development and deployment portfolio that promotes marketplace integration of renewable and environmentally-sound energy technologies.

Also, Karsner was a principal contributor to the UN-sponsored climate change negotiations, the major economies meetings, and the Asia Pacific Partnership on behalf of the US, and helped establish the "Bali Roadmap" toward achieving a post-2012 global framework accord on energy security and emissions reduction.

He led efforts to implement two landmark bipartisan pieces of legislation: the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce America's dependency on oil, change federal procurement, and elevate standards for energy efficiency, the company noted.

Prior to the DOE, Karsner served in the private sector as an international infrastructure developer and energy entrepreneur managing and financing large-scale power projects around the world, encompassing a range of technologies and fuel sources including oil, natural gas, coal, wind, solar and biomass.

He was managing director of Enercorp LLC, a private company involved in international project development, management and financing of renewable energy infrastructure.

Previously, Karsner worked with Tondu Energy Systems of Texas, Wartsila Power Development of Finland and other multi-national energy firms and developers.

James C. Morgan, chairman of Applied commented in a statement, "Mr. Karsner has shown strong leadership in renewable energy policy, technologies, and commercialisation, including his role as the chief regulatory official for efficiency, buildings and appliances at the Department of Energy. His extensive background in the global energy market will be invaluable to the Board as we chart the strategic path for our Energy and Environmental Solutions business through the current and future energy landscape."

Karsner holds a BA with honours from Rice University and an MA from Hong Kong University.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor - Electronic News

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