The Silfab Team
Silfab team members have been actively shaping sustainability solutions since its inception. Our 500+ North American employees are dedicated to evolving technology to suit your needs.
Executive Management
Paolo Maccario
President & CEO
Paolo Maccario - COO
Paolo Maccario brings to Silfab Solar over 25 years of experience as CEO of leading international automotive and clean-tech organizations.
Before joining Silfab, he worked as Chief Executive Officer of 6N Silicon Inc., one of the fastest growing Canadian manufacturers of high purity solar grade silicon. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of Meridian Technologies Inc., a business unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the world’s largest company engaged in the engineering and manufacturing of magnesium products for the global automotive industry. Earlier in his career, Paolo held senior and executive management positions in automotive and industrial organizations operating in the U.S., Mexico, and Italy, including Teksid Aluminum Foundry and various units of Fiat. Paolo holds a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and an MBA from Duke University and is a proud father of three very successful sons with his wife (and high school sweetheart) Licia.
Hanna Ayyad
Chief Financial Officer
Hanna Ayyad - CFO
As part of the small team who led the original development and launch of Silfab Solar in Ontario in 2011, Hanna has played a pivotal role in the creation and successful expansion of Silfab Solar across North America, helping to make Silfab one of North America’s largest solar manufacturers and a leader in the industry.
Hanna brings to his role of Chief Financial Operator over 20 years of experience in management, finance and operations, including playing an integral role in the successful start-up of multiple companies. In his previous role, Hanna was the President of Great Lakes Agra, a renewable energy company specializing in bio fuels, eco industrial parks and agricultural sustainability.
Hanna’s international experience includes work in the Middle East and Europe. Hanna completed his undergraduate degree at Jacksonville University in Florida, and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Geoff Atkins
Business Development, Sales, Marketing
905-255-2501 x 737
[email protected]
Geoff Atkins - Business Development, Sales, Marketing
Geoff Atkins is an experienced International Sales, Business Development and Marketing Executive with a solid track record of building revenue through innovative strategy with an entrepreneurial approach.
Geoff has utilized a creative and passionate approach to developing sales teams and structure that harvest new business and generate dramatic revenue growth. In his capacity as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at American Solar Direct based in Los Angeles, Geoff helped architect the residential solar start-up company into a top 10 player in under 2 years by strategically aligning product development, management objectives, financial targets, brand image, customer service, PR, media, promotions and incentives.
As Senior Vice President and General Manager at IMAX Corporation, Geoff was instrumental in the evolution of IMAX’s business strategy that helped establish IMAX as a prominent player in the entertainment industry by securing contracts/partnerships with industry leaders such as AMC Entertainment, Discovery Channel, WGBH Nova, Cineplex, Regal Entertainment Group, Racimec, RAVE Cinema Group and Cinemark USA.
Prior to IMAX, Geoff’s experience includes sales and marketing at Labatt Brewing Company, International Trade Canada in Ottawa, and marketing research as a business development consultant at the Nielson Company.
Treff MacDonald
VP Operations, Plant Manager
905-255-2501 x 727
[email protected]
Treff MacDonald, Vice President Operations, Plant Manager
Treff Macdonald is the Vice President of Operations at Silfab Solar, Treff manages all of the day to day activities of the operation since joining Silfab in October 2011.
Treff’s primary focus is managing multiple disciplines within the organization including Quality, Maintenance, Engineering Logistics and Manufacture. Treff brings to Silfab 18 years of manufacturing experience 14 of which include Operational progressive management positions. Treff’s journey began in the automotive parts manufacturing sector where he spent over 6 years in various management roles with a Tier One supplier his tenure included numerous plant startups and expansions both in Canada and Mexico. In 2008 Treff ventured into the manufacturing side of the Green Energy Sector joining a Silicon refining startup and seeing the startup through to full production volume capacity. His move in 2011 to manage Silfab’s module manufacturing operations was seen as an opportunity round out his PV knowledge as well as to help make his mark on a growing company that is servicing a growing market.
Mark Rossetto
Senior Technology Executive
905-255-2501 x 739
[email protected]
Mark Rossetto, Product Engineer Manager
Mark joined Silfab Solar in September 2016 as the Manager of Product Engineering but has been working with Silfab since 2011, where he followed the PV module process set-up of Silfab Ontario.
Mark brings over 15 years of experience in the solar sector, with progressively increasing responsibilities as Technology Director of Helios Technologies (2002 – 2010), Senior Technology Manager and Chief of Operations for MegaCell (2013 – 2016).
In 2002, Mark joined the R&D Team of Helios Technology. In 2004 he joined a European R&D consortium lead by CRAFT Reinhland TUV of Cologne, Germany to develop novel methods for the indoor characterization of PV modules with improved accuracy. From 2006 to 2010 Mark was Manager of both R&D and Product Development at Helios Technology where he selected new production technologies to scale up production to 60MWp/year the production.
Since 2013 Project Manager Leader at MegaCell for the technology transfer of a novel bifacial solar cell technology (BISON), then Senior technology manager and Chief of Operations for MegaCell (2014 – 2016).
Mark holds an M.Eng degree in Electric Engineering, where he specialized in PV/wind and solar-thermal technologies.
Itai Suez
VP Product Development
1 905-255-2501 x 717
[email protected]
Itai Suez - Vice President of Product Development
Itai joined Silfab Solar in June 2019 as Vice President of Product Development following several years working on the downstream side of the business in Houston, TX developing utility-scale projects at EDP Renewables NA. His recent efforts leading and growing the technical and design aspects of EDPR NA’s solar PV pipeline helped cultivate a deep understanding of solar PV systems from the perspective of an owner/operator.
Formerly, Itai had spent the majority of his solar career in various R&D and product development roles with progressively increasing responsibilities from Staff Engineer at SunPower (2007 – 2011), to Sr. Staff Engineer at Solaria (2011-2013), and Cogenra (2013-2015) to Sr. Solar Engineering Manager at EDPR NA (2016 – 2019). During his time at these various world class organizations, Itai had been involved in the development of several disruptive technologies that have permanently transformed PV module and system design. Two prominent examples include Cogenra’s shingled solar cell module concept (now SunPower’s P-Series product line) and SunPower’s C7 LCPV system achieving over 24.5% cell efficiency.
Since 2010, Itai has also been an active member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in Technical Committee 82 (Photovoltaics) revising/developing new and existing documents and standards. Efforts ranging from development of CPV/LCPV standards and technical specifications in working group 7 (WG7) to re-drafting system performance standards for bifacial PV systems in working group 3 (WG3).
Itai holds a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley, where he specialized in semi-conductor based research, which paved the way for his future career and passion in silicon-based solar cells and modules.
Marketing / Sales / Business Development
Lorraine Hoefler
Marketing
905-255-2501 x 1009
[email protected]
Jorge Blanquet
Regional Sales Manager
905-255-2501 x 733
[email protected]
Jorge Gonzalez Blanquet, Silfab Sales
Jorge has been a driving force of the Silfab sales and Account management team since 2011. Jorge manages Silfab’s Canadian customers as well as having responsibility for Silfab sales activities outside of the US.
Maurice Smith, Director, USA
Maurice Smith is a seasoned Sales Executive and Business Development Leader with proven success in renewable energy.
He brings 4 years of experience working in the solar industry as Sales Manager at American Solar Direct based in Los Angeles – a residential solar developer recognized as the 17th fastest growing company in the US and one of the fastest growing residential solar companies at the time.
Since joining in 2014, Maurice has developed, implemented and executed on Silfab’s US strategy. Prior to his start, Silfab’s US business presence was non-existent; as of 2016, the US now represents a large portion of Silfab’s overall business and future growth opportunities.
Prior to the solar industry, Maurice’s experience included developing sales team and go to market strategy with a variety of organizations such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Cox Communications.
Maurice holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management.
Devan Wright
Regional Sales Manager
360-569-4733 x 1032
Mobile: 360-393-0178
[email protected]
Mobile: 360-393-0178
Devan Wright - Regional Sales Manager
Devan Wright is an experienced sales executive who previously ran his own sales and marketing company—Unlimited Potential Marketing Inc.—which partnered with a variety of Fortune 500 companies such as Costco, SolarCity, and DirecTV.
Devan has over a decade of sales experience and believes in an honest approach with the goal of developing healthy, long-term working relationships with all he encounters, from employees, to clients, to colleagues.
Originally from Bellingham, Washington, Devan calls San Diego, California home. He enjoys staying active by playing beach volleyball, and spending time with his French Bulldog Hudson.
Operations / Product Development / Accounting / HR
Carlos Serna, Production Manager
Carlos Serna has been with our Silfab Solar team for over 8+ years, bringing leadership as part of the core team that worked to have our Silfab brand established in Canada.
Carlos holds a Certificate in Photovoltaics from Seneca College of applied arts and Technology as well as a Diploma in Electronics from his past Navy career.
Carlos’ dedication, passion and commitment is evident in all of his work at Silfab Solar and is at the forefront of his achievements while driving Silfab growth and expansion in North America.
Jovian Xu
Director of Supply Chain
& Global Procurement
905-255-2501 x 765
[email protected]
& Global Procurement
Jovian Xu, Purchasing Manager
Jovian Xu is Silfab’s Purchasing Manager and joined the company in May of 2013. Prior to joining, she worked for 13 years in supply chain management, global trading, cost & risk control and logistics at various companies in China and Canada.
Jovian Xu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade from Hohai University in China and a Master of E-Business from Edith Cowan University in Australia. Jovian manages Silfab’s procurement and inbound logistics.
Pedro Montanez
Manager, Accounting
905-255-2501 x 735
[email protected]
Pedro Montanez, Accounting Manager
Pedro joined Silfab in November 2016 as Accounting Manager. Pedro has over 20 years of experience in the Finance and Accounting field. His experience ranges throughout different industries from manufacturing to service companies. His current and past roles have provided him with expertise in accounts receivable, accounts payable, cost accounting, general ledger, payroll, inventory control, budget, and in the preparation of financial information including management reports.
Pedro has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Yucatan (UADY) in Mexico.
Umang Bindra, Human Resources Manager
Umang Bindra is Silfab’s Human Resources Manager and has been with Silfab since 2015.
He brings with him over 10 years of Human Resources experience – experience and knowledge in implementing/ modifying HR policies, reviewing applicable laws, orientation/on-boarding , health & safety, employee engagement, talent acquisition process, recruitment & selection, events, managing databases and interviews, HR Administration, training & development and other related aspects of HR.
Prior to joining, he has completed Post-Graduation in Human Resources Management from Sheridan College with High Honours. He has the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations from Canada. Umang Bindra also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Punjab Technical University and Degree in Business Administration from ICFAI, India. Umang manages all aspects of Human Resources for the company.
