From: Navitas Systems, LLC
Contact: Janice Tucker (630) 755-7920
Jtucker@www.navitassys.com
For Immediate Release
Navitas Systems Announces Promotion of Mil Ovan to President
David VanAssche joins Navitas as VP Operations & Strategic Programs
Woodridge, IL – August 26, 2014 – 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.
