Hemlock, Mich. – Hemlock Semiconductor, the nation’s leading manufacturer of hyper-pure polysilicon for the semiconductor and solar industries, today announced the appointment of new leadership for its commercial teams. Mike Modolo has been promoted to Semiconductor Commercial Director and Blake Barthelmess has been appointed as Solar Commercial Director.
"I’m thrilled to add Mike Modolo and Blake Barthelmess to the team,” said Phil Rausch, Senior Vice President – Commercial. “Mike knows our semiconductor business inside and out and will provide HSC customers with world-class experience and product guidance. Blake has deep experience in the solar industry and understands the global market as well as anyone. I look forward to learning from his experience and leveraging his considerable skills to strengthen our position as the preferred supplier of hyper-pure polysilicon for solar PV applications.”
In his new role, Modolo will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of commercial operations related to the sale of semiconductor-grade polysilicon and semiconductor-grade chlorosilanes. His primary focus will be on commercial relationships, key customer plans and ensuring exceptional customer focus and satisfaction. Modolo replaces Ken Seibert, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Modolo has been making significant and lasting contributions to HSC for 26 years. He joined the company in 1997 and has worked in a variety of roles across the enterprise. Most recently he served as HSC’s Supply and Logistics manager, where he was responsible for leading the Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Warehouse Management Teams ensuring delivery of products to meet HSC’s sales plan. Modolo’s extensive background in HSC operations, particularly in Finishing, and extensive knowledge of our customers will be a great advantage as he takes on this role.
Barthelmess comes to HSC from Norwegian Crystals PV Ingot (NCR), a leading producer of monocrystalline silicon for high-efficiency PV applications, where he served as CEO and COO. He brings extensive knowledge and experience in the global solar PV industry, having worked previously for Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), Masdar PV in the UAE and Germany, China-based LDK Solar, and BHB & Partners, where he served as a strategic adviser to renewable energy companies such as UMOE, Arise, USI and Crystal Solar.
Barthelmess will lead the commercialization of HSC’s solar polysilicon products while continuing to build our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) differentiated brand in the market. He will work closely with supply chain customers and end market purchasers of solar electricity to develop and implement specification strategies that maximize sales and profitability while maintaining compliance with industry standards. Additionally, Barthelmess will focus on customers with application and process engineering developments, expansion of Ultra-Low Carbon Solar in the marketplace, and policy coordination with government affairs for U.S. domestic manufacturing expansion.
About Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of hyper-pure polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers products with an ultra low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961 and is owned by Corning Incorporated and Shin-Etsu Handotai.
