Management Team
Our management team includes specialists in advanced battery engineering and clean technology – including long-time developers of the VRB® – ensuring continual improvement and a consistent approach.
Johnson Chiang, CEO
Johnson Chiang is the Chief Executive Officer of Prudent Energy, the world leader in VRB® energy storage systems. Prior to joining Prudent Energy, Mr. Chiang was the Chief Operating Officer at Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), where he was responsible for the company's development and manufacturing operations in China, Japan and Germany.
Mr. Chiang's previous experience includes three years as head of a major business unit at Foxconn Technology Group, the world's largest electronics manufacturing services company, and 15 years in various operating positions at Solectron Corporation in California.
Mr. Chiang received his M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and an MBA degree from Santa Clara University in California.
Tim Hennessy, President
Tim Hennessy is the former CEO of VRB Power Systems Inc., which was acquired by Prudent Energy in 2009. Before VRB Power, he served as Vice President of Engineering and Operations and Managing Director of LECTRIX LLC (a Bechtel Siemens AEP JV), Vice President of PacifiCorp's Energy Services Division, and Quality of Supply Manager for ESKOM. He was also a founder and Principal of Power Quality Technology, an independent consulting firm.
Mr. Hennessy holds eight patents, has published and presented more than 20 scientific papers, and was the editor of the Power Quality Blue Book (South Africa), a text for industrial engineers. He serves on the board of Schmitt Industries (NASDAQ: SMIT).
He is a chartered engineer in the UK and holds a MSc. Eng (Electrical) from WITS University and an MDP (UNISA).
Jeff Pierson, Senior Vice President
Jeff Pierson is the Senior Vice President of Prudent Energy, based in the company's Bethesda, Maryland headquarters. He is responsible for day-to-day corporate operations while overseeing global sales and marketing, government relations, and strategic alliances.
Mr. Pierson has over 20 years of experience in energy and power, venture capital, and public service. He was the former Associate Administrator for Investment at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Managing Director at ALTEC Energy Ventures, LLC, and Director of Power Generation Applications and Board Member at ALM Turbine, Inc. He has also served at the International Energy Agency, in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Congress.
He received his B.A. from Emory University and completed graduate work in International Business and Finance at the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Gary Lepp, Chief Technology Officer
Gary Lepp is an experienced technology leader who, in three years at VRB Power Systems Inc., successfully built a team that initiated VRB's stack and system product development activities and advanced them to the point of commercial readiness.
Mr. Lepp brings over 20 years of experience in mechanical engineering and product development regarding electrochemical power generation. Mr. Lepp holds a Masters of Applied Science and Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Ping Yu, Chief Financial Officer
Ping Yu is the Chief Financial Officer of Prudent Energy. Prior to joining Prudent, Ms. Yu was the CFO of Lentuo International (NYSE: LAS) where she led its successful IPO in 2010. Earlier, she was the CFO of e-Future Information Technology (NASDAQ: EFUT). She has also been an auditor and consultant with Golf & Wrobleski in New York and has additional professional experience in the banking and real estate industries. She received a BS degree in Accounting from Hubei University and graduated from Rutgers University with an MBA degree. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the United States.
Tom Tipple, VP, kW Class Systems
Tom Tipple is responsible for overseeing the commercial and strategic development activities of Prudent Energy's KW class systems. Mr. Tipple brings over 20 years of strategic and business development experience from several multinational companies. He was most recently Managing Director of AlanDick's Sub Sahara operations, coordinating the company's Communications Infrastructure Services market activities. He was VP of Strategic Development for EMS Technology and was previously Director of Partnership Development for Inmarsat plc, the leading provider of Mobile Satellite Communications. He has also held senior management positions in the upstream oil & gas exploration sector including at Schlumberger and Halliburton. Mr. Tipple holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of London and a Diploma in Business Administration.
Ted Wang, Vice President, Engineering
Ted Wang is an expert in managing global engineering teams focused on vanadium redox flow battery systems, fuel cell systems, and other advanced energy technologies. He has extensive engineering experience working for major manufacturing companies including many years at Ford Motor Company. Mr. Wang holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Wayne State University.
YC Zeng, Vice President, Operations
Mr. Zeng is a long-standing leader in operational management including electrical equipment manufacturing, supply chain, facilities, health & safety, logistics, and general services. Prior to joining Prudent Energy, he was the General Manager of Energy Engineering for Suntech Power. Prior to Suntech, Mr. Zeng worked for Foxconn Technology Group, Solectron Technology, and Sound Fair Electronics. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Optical Instrument Engineering and an MBA degree, both from Tianjin University.