Suniva CEO Named One of the “100 Most Influential Georgians”

January 5, 2016 | By Business Wire News

NORCROSS, Ga.

Georgia Trend Magazine has selected Suniva, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, John Baumstark, as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. The 2016 list includes outstanding men and women from Georgia’s business, community, government, and education sectors, recognizing their leadership, influence and positive impact on the state.

Baumstark’s leadership is well known in the Atlanta tech community; he has led several technology companies with respected investors. In 2007, Baumstark co-founded Suniva, launched from Georgia Tech’s photovoltaic labs with Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi. Under his leadership, Suniva, headquartered in Norcross, with manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Michigan, has become the leading American manufacturer of high-efficiency, cost-competitive crystalline silicon solar products, with customers worldwide. In October 2015, Baumstark led the investment by Hong Kong-based Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited as its majority investor and announced a major expansion to triple production capacity.

“I’m honored to receive this notable award and to be in the company of so many extraordinary leaders – both past and present recipients,” said Baumstark. “We are very pleased that a Georgia-grown company has been recognized as being at the forefront of the global movement for clean energy generation. For me, It is a both a mission and a passion.”

Baumstark has been a well-respected business leader and entrepreneur for more than 25 years. Two of his previous companies, TRADEX Technologies and DWL, were acquired by Ariba and IBM, respectively. Baumstark serves on the boards of Gwinnett Technical College, Technology Association of Georgia and on the Advisory Board of Georgian Partners.

Suniva has received numerous awards for its technological innovation, business leadership and global environmental impact, including Commercial Technology of the Year by Platts Global Energy; #2 of the Wall Street Journal’s Top 10 Venture-Backed Clean Technology Companies; and Renewable Energy Exporter of the Year by the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where John had the honor of accepting the award and introducing President Obama before his major policy speech on U.S. exports.

About Suniva

Suniva® is the leading U.S.-born, U.S.-operated manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and high-power solar modules. The company is known for its high-quality products, industry-leading technology, reliable performance, and high power density. Headquartered in metro-Atlanta, with manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Michigan, Suniva sells its advanced PV products globally. suniva.com