Media

Vestas hires new President for U.S. and Canadian sales and service division

News release 11:15 CET - 13 Nov. 2012
Chris Brown has joined the company today as Group Senior Vice President of Vestas and President of Vestas Americas. Brown will succeed Martha Wyrsch, who has decided to leave Vestas in early December.
Brown, 52, is an energy industry leader with decades of experience running electric utility and independent power operations. He had most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Detroit. Brown’s energy background includes time in the offshore wind industry, senior executive at a large U.S. utility and managing director at an international utility.
 
Brown’s first task will be getting up to speed on Vestas as a company, its operations and its current implementation of cost savings and organisational adjustments.  
 
“I recognize there are many challenges in the U.S. wind industry,” Brown said. “However, Vestas has tremendous potential and strength. This is evident in the management team, in the brand, and most important, in the many talented people who work at Vestas. I look forward to meeting the people behind the company’s success in the next few weeks and months."
 
“My approach will be to understand what we need to continue to do well and address those areas in which we can improve our operations. I’ve learned that building healthy relationships with customers, employees and the community is an important component to success.”
 
Wyrsch began at Vestas in 2009. From 2010 to 2012, she directed record financial, sales and installation performance for the company in the U.S. and Canada. In her tenure, she led a team that increased its installed base of wind turbines in the region by more than 4.7 GW. By the time she leaves Vestas, the company will have more than 6,100 turbines under service agreements in the region — all delivered with an exceptional focus on safety.
 
“We are grateful to Martha for her leadership these past several years,” said Juan Araluce, Chief Sales Officer for Vestas. “Martha has led an ambitious effort at a time in which wind power growth is especially important. Under her leadership, we have safely and successfully managed a record installed base in two major countries committed to the benefits of clean, renewable and affordable wind power. As Martha informed me of her decision to continue her journey outside Vestas, we began searching for a strong profile to continue and enhance our efforts in North America. I am happy to have found a candidate that matches our expectations and I look forward to now working with Chris to continue our efforts.”  
 

Media Contact

Andrew Longeteig, Vestas, North America
Tel.: +1 503 327 7479
 
Mikkel Friis Thomsen, External Relations
Tel: +45 4098 3174
 

About Vestas

Vestas is the world leader in supplying high-tech wind power systems, and a preferred provider of wind turbines, services and solutions in the United States and Canada. With more than 50 GW of installed capacity worldwide, Vestas has supplied more than 47,000 wind turbines in 71 countries since 1979. Vestas sold its first wind turbine in North America in 1981 and since has supplied more than 13,000 turbines to the United States and Canada. The company’s U.S. and Canadian sales and service headquarters is in Portland, Ore.
 
 

Chris Brown, President of Vestas Americas

Vestas hires new President for U.S. and Canadian sales and service division

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2009.02.27