Nilar

Management Team

Norman Vickers - President

Norman joined as President in 2007, bringing with him more than 18 years of management experience from Electronic Data Systems, where he has held numerous positions and managed integrated delivery teams in North and South America and Europe. While at EDS, Norman developed manufacturing systems for General Motors from 1989 to 1997. Norman spent several years with EDS in Sweden, working closely with SKF and Saab Automobile. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University.

Vincent Puglisi – VP Battery Development

Vincent, who joined the Nilar team in early 2006, has over 30 years of battery research and development experience in nickel metal hydride, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc, nickel cadmium, and lithium-sulfur applied to both consumer and aerospace applications. While directing R & D for Energizer’s rechargeable battery division from 1987 through 1999, Vincent was a principal in the research, development and introduction into manufacture of NiMH for consumer applications, such as power tools, that grew to approximately $70M in annual sales. Vincent holds in excess of 10 patents, several of which are the basis for current nickel electrode and cell processing and design, and has authored over 35 publications. Dr. Puglisi has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Texas, Austin.

Perry Wyatt - VP Power Systems

Perry joined Nilar in 2004. Perry is responsible for the power systems group, delivering complete energy storage solutions to our OEM customers. Perry has gained over 12 years of management experience in product development and operations while working at Intel, Hewlett Packard and Genuine Parts Company. Perry holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.

Richard Howlett – Chief Engineer

Richard joined Nilar in 2004 and previously worked as a program manager at Hewlett Packard. Richard earned a M.S. degree from Texas Tech, with his thesis involving hybrid and electric vehicles.

Joseph Heckel – VP Business Development (NA)

Joe joined Nilar in 2009, and has spent his entire career in the Battery Industry. Previously, he worked as V.P. Sales for a Lead Acid Battery manufacturer ( 5 years). Prior to that, Joe spent the remainder of his career with Energizer Battery as V.P. /G.M. - Business Development. Joe has a BA from the University of Maryland.

David Sauder – VP Manufacturing / Operations

David joined in 2008 and has over 17 years of manufacturing and technical experience from ADC Telecommunications, a global manufacturer of telecommunications equipment where he has held numerous positions and managed global teams in operations, quality and engineering. Dave is a 12-year military veteran of the US Coast Guard and the US Navy. Dave has an undergraduate degree in engineering from the California Maritime Academy and an MBA in Operations from the University of Minnesota.