Pioneering innovation

Yigit Eker is a seasoned manufacturing professional and leader with deep expertise in Lean Six Sigma, product development, and process engineering. Over his career, he has designed business processes, managed product launches, and restructured and scaled manufacturing engineering teams to as many as 80 members. Prior to joining NexWafe, Hilmi served as the Head of Manufacturing Engineering for a tier-one automotive supplier. His career began in the Process Engineering department at MAHLE GmbH, where he held various roles across different locations. Hilmi earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Türkiye and a Master's degree in ICT Strategic Management from Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona School of Management in Spain.

Jonathan is based in the San Franciso Bay Area and has an extensive industry experience along the solar ‘value chain’ from wafer fabrication, cell and module manufacturing, to project development.  

Jonathan was previously the President of JA Solar Americas and set up JA’s first solar module contract manufacturing operations in Mexico and Europe. He also developed JA’s commercial and the first utility scale module sales in the US. Jonathan later co-founded K2 Clean Energy Capital which has developed and financed multiple solar and energy efficiency projects in CA.

Prior to joining JA Solar, Jonathan had a 20-year career at Applied Materials in the US and Europe holding senior management positions in the semiconductor equipment business. Jonathan headed up marketing and business development for Applied Materials Solar Business Group and was the business unit lead on two major acquisitions of European solar wafering (HCT Shaping systems) and cell manufacturing equipment (Baccini) companies.

Jonathan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a M. Eng in Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering and published a paper on oxidation induced defects in single crystal silicon.

Tyler Todd is an accomplished engineering leader with over 25 years of experience in product and capital equipment development in manufacturing. He specializes in designing, developing and commissioning specialized production equipment, emphasizing process-oriented methods.

Throughout his career, Tyler has led engineering, quality, and tool-making teams to create production lines across various sectors, including photovoltaic wafer production, semiconductor equipment, 3D printing, battery storage systems, and metalworking machines.

He holds degrees in engineering and business from The University of Texas at Austin and a philosophy degree from Rollins College.

Luca Bianchi joined the company in January 2023 with the main objective of creating the SC&P function. He is an executive with twenty years of SC&P experience in Europe, Asia and America. He is passionate about technology, excellence, leadership and strategy and is used to delivering successful results in fast-paced environments. He serves as a trusted business partner and senior advisor to executives, management teams, organizational partners and relevant employees.

Luca has previously worked in the semiconductor industry leading the Global Strategic Sourcing function in VAT, 6 years in Leonardo Helicopter Division as VP SC&P, prior to that in Whirlpool Corp. as Head of SC&P and he started his career in SC in the civil marine industry with Fincanteiri Group. Luca also served as Executive Advisor for Global SC&P in Hyperloop Transportation Technologies California, another disruptive green energy startup.

Luca holds a Degree in Economics and Corporate Law from the Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (Italy), which earned him the academic title of Dr. Among an Executive MBA and several trainings in Supply Chain Management and 6-Sigma, he had the honor to attend a Leadership course at Harward Business School.

Timur Vlasenko has more than 20 years of experience in photovoltaic and silicon production. During his career, Timur has been CTO of Pillar Group, a European PV wafer and ingot producer with a total capacity of 800 MWp, the managing director of an R&D startup financed by Elkem ASA and an independent consultant of the production of silicon ingots, wafers, and PV cells. He was combining management responsibilities with research activity, and he is a co-author of more than 20 publications and patents. 

Before joining NexWafe, Timur worked for Ferroglobe PLC, the largest merchant producer of silicon metal in the Western World. His role was the production manager of a newly constructed factory of production of high-purity silicon for advanced technologies. 

He holds an MSc in Applied Physics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Martin Katz is a experienced executive with many years of experience in chlorosilane chemistry as well as managing industrial productions with approximately 100 employees. In the course of his career, Martin has looked at various aspects. In addition to production and production planning, important topics include plant safety and quality. 

Before joining NexWafe, Martin was Production Manager for the European market leader in rubber manufacturing. He started his career at Silicon Products, where he completed his (industrial) PhD. 

Martin holds a PhD in Chemistry from the TU Bergakademie in Freiberg at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry in the Silicon Chemistry group.

Maxi Richter has joined Nexwafe to support in the process development of the wet chemical and electrochemical processes. Having a profound knowledge of process development methods she is now leading the development for all the process steps involved in the EpiNex technology. Throughout her career, Maxi has collaborated closely with senior leaders and technologist of both academic and industrial partners. Before joining NexWafe, Maxi worked as process development engineer in Photovoltaic and Semiconductor industry. Maxi started her career in the RnD divison of the wet chemical tool manufacturer RENA. She thereafter joined the photomask manufacturer Advanced Mask Technology Center (AMTC) improving her process development skills working on dry and wet chemical cleaning processes. 

Maxi holds a Diploma in Applied Science from the  Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg University of Mining and Technology), Germany and a PhD in Engineering from University Freiburg, Germany.

Giuliano P. Vescovi is a seasoned technology professional with a strong commitment to sustainable technology. With over 15 years’ experience in LED and PV device development, Giuliano has consistently demonstrated his expertise through notable contributions to green-tech start-ups, including development of world record nanowire-based radiation hardened solar cells. In his role as Senior Director at NexWafe, he leads new technology and R&D efforts, IP management, while contributing to developing the company's technology road mapping and strategy.Leveraging a strong educational background in electrical engineering and information technology, complemented by a multicultural upbringing and multilingual proficiency, he blends academic excellence with effective cross-cultural communication skills in the pursuit of sustainable technology innovation.