SAGE Announces Appointment of New CEO

Alan McLenaghan, Ph.D., has been named the new CEO of SAGE Electrochromics Inc. Dr. McLenaghan will replace John Van Dine, the founder and CEO since the company’s inception in 1989, who will step down from day-to-day responsibilities. In 2012, SAGE was acquired and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, the world leader in glass and building materials.

Dr. McLenaghan, a 15-year veteran of Saint-Gobain, joined SAGE as Vice President of Operations in July, 2012. In this role he has led the opening of SAGE’s new 320,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Faribault, Minnesota. Prior to joining SAGE, he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Technology for Verallia North America, another division of Saint-Gobain. He joined the Saint-Gobain company in 1998 to lead the construction of their new float glass manufacturing plant in Eggborough, North Yorkshire in England.

“I am pleased to have been selected by the board to lead SAGE in the next phase of its growth plans,” says Dr. McLenaghan. “SageGlass is a unique technology that enables architects and building owners to manage solar control in a compelling way. I am excited to continue the integration of SAGE into Saint-Gobain while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled the company’s growth and innovation.”

John Van Dine founded SAGE in Valley Cottage, New York, 25 years ago with a vision to enhance solar control for commercial buildings. He left the photovoltaic, thin-film solar cell industry to pioneer electrochromic glass technology for window applications. He realized that in addition to enhancing energy efficiency, dynamic glass could revolutionize solar control by providing a solution to the age-old tradeoff between natural light and an uninterrupted view of the outdoors – the reason people install glass in buildings in the first place. In 1993, he moved SAGE to Minnesota – “the Silicon Valley of the window industry” – home of its global headquarters and its 150 employees.

“After serving as the chief executive of SAGE for 25 years, I am pleased to be able to pass the baton to an individual with Alan’s background and integrity,” says Mr. Van Dine. “With his operations and glass expertise, Alan is a natural choice for us as SAGE transitions into a larger manufacturing organization. I will miss the day-to-day management of the company and working with our great people, but am pleased with our success building a new category and about the momentum that electrochromic glass is achieving in the marketplace.”

SAGE celebrated its 10th anniversary of commercial shipments this year and has installed hundreds of commercial and residential projects worldwide. SAGE’s recent projects include the General Services Administration (GSA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago, and McDonough Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. McLenaghan will transition into the CEO role on October 15th, with Mr. Van Dine remaining as Chairman through the calendar year and becoming Vice Chairman for a three year term starting in January, 2014. As Vice Chairman, Mr. Van Dine will remain involved as a spokesperson at industry events and as a strategic advisor regarding SAGE’s industry leading intellectual property.

About SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.

SAGE Electrochromics is the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced dynamic glass that can be tinted or cleared to optimize daylight and improve the human experience in buildings. SageGlass controls the sunlight and heat that enter a building, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving people’s comfort and well-being. SageGlass can reduce a building’s cooling load by 20% and HVAC requirements up to 30%. It is a smarter, more elegant solution than conventional sun controls such as mechanical window shades, blinds and louvers. Now celebrating its 10th year anniversary shipping commercial SageGlass, the company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered near Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., in the heart of “the Silicon Valley of the window industry.” SAGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain of Paris, the world’s largest building materials company.