Francisco Sanchez, the former undersecretary of trade at the U.S. Commerce Department, has joined Suniva Inc.’s board of directors.
Currently, Mr. Sanchez is chairman of the Washington-based consultancy CNS Global Advisors, which provides strategic advice to companies and governments seeking to expand in foreign markets.
In addition, he is a senior managing director for Pt Capital, a private equity firm concentrating on investment opportunities in the Arctic.
Mr. Sanchez served as undersecretary from 2009-13. Previously, he was assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs at the U.S. Transportation Department, served in the White House as a special assistant to former President Bill Clinton and was chief of staff to the special envoy to the Americas.
Suniva is a manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar cells and modules based in Norcross with manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Michigan.
John Baumstart, Suniva’s CEO, said in a press release that the company would benefit from Mr. Sanchez’s international trade experience “that is directly related to Suniva’s global growth plans.”