WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following a vote by its board of directors, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the nation’s leading solar advocacy organization, announced that George Hershman, president of Swinerton Renewable Energy, has become chair of the SEIA Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Hershman has been with Swinerton, one of the largest engineering, procurement and construction contractors in the country, for 23 years, and has served as a director on the SEIA Board since 2012.

“George has been a critical voice on so many issues during his time on the SEIA Board, especially as we’ve navigated trade and tariff cases, fought for fair tax policy and advocated for other state and federal policies that advance solar energy,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “It’s an exciting time to be in the solar industry as we forge ahead in the Solar+ Decade, and George is the right leader to help us fight for policies that allow solar to compete in energy markets across the country.”

Ryan Creamer, CEO of sPower and current interim chair of the SEIA Board, will continue in his role as vice chair.

“It’s an honor to be elected by my peers to chair SEIA’s Board of Directors,” said Mr. Hershman. “I’m looking forward to leading a board that puts our industry in the best possible position to thrive in the Solar+ Decade. Solar supports more than 242,000 American workers, and we need policies that drive continued job growth and power our grid with clean, reliable, low-cost solar.”

This announcement comes after former SEIA Board Chair, Tom Starrs, stepped down last November. Mr. Starrs remains as a director on the Board, representing SunPower.

George Hershman began his tenure at Swinerton in 1997, working in project management until his promotion to San Diego Division Manager of Swinerton Management & Consulting in 2006. In response to a growing demand for renewable energy, Mr. Hershman took on the task of building Swinerton's presence in the renewable energy sector in 2008. SOLV, Swinerton’s stand-alone solar operations and maintenance group, was formed in 2014.

In his new role, Mr. Hershman will guide SEIA strategy on policy issues that will help the industry achieve its top policy priorities for 2020, including its work to promote market rules that allow for competition and transform the energy economy so that solar can reach 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030.

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