WOODRIDGE, Ill., Aug. 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navitas Systems LLC (www.navitassys.com), a leading provider of energy-enabled system solutions, energy storage products, and power electronics for commercial, industrial and government/military customers, has named Mil Ovan as President, effective immediately. Ovan has over thirty years of experience in bringing innovative new-to-the-world products to global markets, with the most recent twelve years as a founder and CEO of energy storage and renewable energy companies.
"Over the past three years, Mil has been instrumental in the formation and growth of our company" said Navitas Systems' Chairman and Founder Alan ElShafei. "Mil's leadership in the last eighteen months as Navitas Chief Marketing Officer has continued to positively impact all areas of our products, business divisions, and served markets. So it was only natural to install Mil into this new role and to position our company for the next level of growth and profitability," ElShafei concluded.
"I'm honored to take the helm of this terrific leadership team," Ovan said. "Over the next few months, we're going to be unveiling a number of significant new products which will demonstrate our growth strategy of delivering the most innovative and robust energy storage and power electronics solutions in several high growth markets," Ovan concluded.
In his new role as President, Ovan will be responsible for overseeing all functional areas of the company. Ovan has built and run start-up companies, and has created new divisions at Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Navitas, Ovan was a Principal of Nova Associates, providing marketing and business development consulting to renewable energy and advanced materials companies. Ovan previously served as senior vice president & co-founder of Firefly Energy, a $50 million startup company which developed a next generation battery technology originally incubated at Caterpillar. Ovan received an MBA in Marketing from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from Elmhurst College.
Navitas also announced that David VanAssche is joining the company as Vice President of Operations and Strategic Programs, with responsibility for overseeing the Engineering Department, Program Management, Supply Chain Management, and Manufacturing at Navitas Advanced Solutions Group in Ann Arbor Michigan. Prior to Navitas Systems, VanAssche served 27 years in the United States Air Force, with his last assignment being at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where he directly served the President of the United States as the Chief Mission Director of Air Force One.
"I've known David VanAssche for over five years, and have seen first-hand how he organizes and leads people toward the accomplishment of tough program objectives. And in his last role on Air Force One, there was no other option than 100% success in organizing every mission. We're therefore glad to welcome David aboard," ElShafei said.
VanAssche has extensive knowledge in the United States Department of Defense in acquisitions and logistics, systems engineering, subsystems engineering, and program management. VanAssche received a Master of Business Administration in Purchasing, Procurement, Acquisitions, and Contract Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from Park University.
"I am very enthusiastic about joining Navitas. Our company's vertically-integrated design, build and test capabilities for our battery systems starts with our world class team of experienced and dedicated scientists, engineers and technicians. They are the driving forces behind our ability to provide the best overall value to our customers, and I'm delighted to be leading them," VanAssche said.
About Navitas Systems, LLC
Navitas Systems is a leader in integrated design, technology development, and manufacturing of innovative energy-enabled system solutions and energy storage products for commercial, industrial and government agency customers. Navitas Systems products range from customized energy storage solutions for motive, idle-reduction and defense related applications, along with custom renewable energy integrated power systems, to standard products like lithium based lead-acid replacement batteries. Our ruggedized lithium energy storage products are the perfect choice for any high-performance multi-cell battery application that requires lower weight, reduced volume, massively increased cycle life, higher efficiency, and environmental durability.
Navitas is headquartered in a state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot facility in Woodridge, Illinois. In early 2012, the company acquired the Government Solutions Group of lithium battery manufacturer A123 Systems. With this acquired major research facility located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, along with strong local and offshore partners and solid financial stability, Navitas is well positioned to continue serving the energy products and power electronics needs of major worldwide customers.
From advanced R &D, safe/high energy cell design, in-house electronics manufacturing and cable assemblies, to sophisticated battery pack assembly, Navitas Systems is your one-stop shop for comprehensive energy and power electronics solutions. For more information visit www.navitassys.com and follow @Navitas_Systems on Twitter.
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