LDK Solar Co., Ltd.("LDK Solar") (NYSE: LDK), a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) products, announced that Xingxue Tong has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of LDK Solar, effective immediately. Xiaofeng Peng will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Company. Mr. Tong currently serves as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of LDK Solar.
“In light of the continued challenging environment for solar companies, I have determined that I can best serve the company by focusing my time on guiding LDK Solar’s strategic direction and developing partner and other key relationships,” stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman of LDK Solar. “I am confident that during his tenure at LDK Solar, Xingxue has developed in-depth operational expertise that will be valuable in the role of CEO and will ensure a smooth transition. We believe that by separating the roles of the Chairman and CEO, along with adding additional highly experienced members to the Board, we will enhance our corporate governance and better position the Company.”
“I am pleased to assume the role of CEO and look forward to working with Chairman Peng and the team on navigating the near-term industry challenges while continuing to build a foundation for growth for LDK Solar,” said Xingxue Tong, President and CEO of LDK Solar.
Mr. Tong joined LDK Solar in January 2007. Mr. Tong has over 15 years of experience in managing operations of companies in the solar industry, and is a senior engineer at the professor level. Prior to joining LDK Solar, Mr. Tong served as general manager for south-east Asia business development at GT Solar in the United States. He was the executive president of commerce at CSI in 2004 and served as vice general manager of an affiliate of Tianwei Yingli from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Tong received an executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in 2011, a diploma in industrial economic management from Renmin University of China in 1988 and a diploma in English from Hebei University in 1998.
The Company also announced today the appointment of Mr. Ceng Wang, Mr. Shian Wu, Mr. Zhibin Liu, Mr. Hongjiang Yao and Mr. Xuezhi Liu to its board of directors. The board of directors has designated Mr. Wang and Mr. Wu independent directors.
Effective immediately the nominating and corporate governance committees of the board of directors of LDK Solar consist of the following four directors: Dr. Maurice Ngai, Dr. Junwu Liang, Mr. Xiaofeng Peng, and Mr. Zhibin Liu.
There is no change to the composition of the audit committee and compensation committee of the board of directors of LDK Solar.
Mr. Ceng Wang currently serves as the chief strategic advisor of China Shenfei Group, with extensive experience in corporate restructuring, merger and acquisition and investment and financing. Prior to that, Mr. Wang served as the president and CEO of China Shenfei Group from April 2010 to March 2012. Mr. Wang has held various management positions at Pudong Development Bank and Bank of China. Mr. Wang has also served as the financial consultant of the People's Government of Xinyu, Jiangxi since November 2010. In addition, he has provided training services to the senior management of various foreign commercial banks based in China, and served as an industry expert and project consultant to foreign investment banks.
Mr. Shian Wu currently serves as the president of Jiangxi Yuzhou Scientific and Technological Institute. In addition, Mr. Wu has been teaching at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics since 1982, when he graduated from the school with a bachelor’s degree in trading and economics. Since 1993, he has received a special government allowance from the PRC State Council and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the New York Institute of Technology in 2005. Mr. Wu is also member of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Jiangxi Province, a vice chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee of the People's Congress of Jiangxi Province, a second grade professor and a doctoral supervisor of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics.
Mr. Zhibin Liu has served as the chairman of the board and the general manager of Xinyu State-owned Asset Management Co., Ltd. since April 2007. He received a college degree from Yichun Normal College with a major in Chinese language and literature in 1981 and a bachelor’s degree from Party School of the Central Committee of C. P. C. with a major in economics and management.
Mr. Hongjiang Yao has served as the board secretary of Xinyu Iron & Steel Joint Stock Company since February 2008. Prior to that, he served as the general manager of Xinhua Joint Stock Company from January 2000 to February 2009. Mr. Yao received a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Institute of Steel and Iron with a major in steel rolling, and a graduate degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology with a major in management science.
Mr. Xuezhi Liu currently serves as the vice president of Hi-tech Wealth Investment and Developing Co., Ltd. Prior to that, he was the general manager of Hainan Prefecture Hi-tech Wealth Photovoltaic Electricity Co., Ltd. from April 2011 to March 2012 and the general manager of Zhongheng Technology (Tangshan) Caofeidian Co., Ltd. from September 2009 to April 2011. Mr. Xuezhi also served as the general manager of Tangshan Sub-branch of Huatai Property and Casualty Insurance Joint Stock Co., Ltd. from August 2006 to September 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree from Chengdu Institute of Telecommunication Engineering with a major in electrical machinery.
Mr. Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman of LDK Solar, expressed his warmest welcome to the new members of the LDK Solar Board. “LDK Solar’s newest board members are esteemed professionals with broad experience in finance and technology. We are pleased to have them serve on our Company’s Board and believe that their collective experiences will strengthen the board by providing a more balanced composition and hence, valuable insight and guidance from a wider perspective,” Mr. Peng said.