Heliogen Founder and CEO Bill Gross Resigns, New Chief Announced

Pasadena-based up-and-comer solar energy company, Heliogen, announced the appointment of Christie Obiaya as its new CEO and member of its board of directors, following the removal and resignation of former CEO, Bill Gross. The reason for Gross’s removal was not stated.

“As Heliogen moves forward on commercial projects, Christie brings almost two decades of operational and financial experience, with degrees and a working background in both business and engineering,” said Robert Kavner, Heliogen’s lead independent director. 

Obiaya, who joined Heliogen in March 2021 as Chief Financial Officer, brings almost two decades of operational and financial experience to the role. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and has previously held various leadership roles in finance, strategy, project development, investment, and execution at Bechtel Energy. She has also worked on renewable energy projects in Kenya and India.

In her new role, Obiaya will focus on advancing Heliogen’s strategic plan and bringing the company’s renewable energy technology to customers looking to decarbonize their operations. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the company,” she said. “I look forward to bringing together Heliogen’s exceptional talent with our industry partners, and to delivering with excellence for our customers, employees, and stockholders.”

As part of the leadership transition, Kelly Rosser has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer. Rosser has served as Heliogen’s Chief Accounting Officer since August 2022 and brings over 20 years of financial executive experience as chief accounting officer, corporate controller, and auditing public companies.

Robert Kavner, Heliogen’s lead independent director, said, “Christie brings…experience growing and managing energy and infrastructure development and sustainable technologies, make her the right person to take on these additional responsibilities.” He also thanked Bill Gross for his “founding vision of Heliogen and providing the company a platform for future success.”

Heliogen is a renewable energy technology company focused on decarbonizing industry and empowering a sustainable civilization. The company’s concentrating solar energy and thermal storage systems aim to deliver carbon-free heat, steam, power, or green hydrogen at scale to support round-the-clock industrial operations. The company is powered by AI, computer vision, and robotics and aims to provide robust clean energy solutions that accelerate the transition to renewable energy, without compromising reliability, availability, or cost.