Mark Feasel, a well-known figure in the microgrid industry who has guided Schneider Electric’s rise in the microgrid market, has taken a new position with FuelCell Energy.
Feasel will serve as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, a position previously held by FuelCell Energy’s president and CEO, Jason Few. Feasel will report to Few.
Feasel rose in the ranks at Schneider over the last 15 years, holding various executive positions, most recently as president of the Electrical Utility & Smart Grid North American division.
During his tenure, Schneider captured a strong position in the microgrid market with an energy-as-a-service model, which removes the need for a customer to make a large capital investment for a microgrid. Schneider also created two microgrid joint ventures during this time, AlphaStruxture with The Carlyle Group and GreenStruxure with Huck Capital.
FuelCell Energy manufactures stationary fuel cell energy platforms for decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen. Its fuel cells are in several microgrids, the first installed in 2004 for the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. In California, its fuel cells can be found within microgrids at the University of California, San Diego and the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, California, which have kept the power flowing for the facilities during California’s notorious public safety power shutoffs. In Connecticut, its home state, the company has provided technology for microgrids at the University of Bridgeport, Amity Regional High School and Pfizer’s R&D Center.
“FuelCell Energy is a company steeped in history, at a critical inflection point. When I met with Jason and the team and talked to them about their overarching goals, the markets they are serving, and the opportunities they are creating, I knew it was a company I wanted to join and help grow,” Feasel said.
Feasel will direct commercial activities for the global company, which had revenue of about $70 million in 2021, employs about 400 people and has manufacturing sites in the US, Canada and Germany. The company also has operated in Asia for many years, serving Korea Southern Power and Korea Fuel Cell.
“When we thought about the ideal leader for the position of chief commercial officer, we had very specific goals in mind — to find a well-established and proven energy professional who is passionate about a future powered by clean energy, who can help take the company to the next level of growth and conduct business with the highest integrity,” said Few. “While that seemed like a very tall order to fill, we found it with Mark Feasel. I am so pleased to welcome him to the team and look forward to the next chapter in our corporate history.”
Schneider Electric has yet to name a replacement for Feasel.
