Qcells North America Announces New Vice Presidents of Communications and Government Relations

Qcells North America, the leading solar manufacturer in America and a global leader in complete clean energy solutions, announced the addition of two Washington, DC leaders to the Corporate Affairs team: communications expert Debra DeShong will join the company as Vice President and Head of Communications, and policy and sustainability leader Hal Connolly will be the Vice President and Head of Public Policy and Government Relations.

DeShong and Connolly come to Qcells North America on the heels of the company’s joint announcement of the largest community solar deal in U.S. history with Summit Ridge Energy, and as Qcells plans to invest more than $2.5 billion to build a complete solar supply chain in the U.S.  They will report into Danny O’Brien, the new Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs as Qcells expands and deepens their commitment to the U.S. market.

“From Debra’s adept communication management for global companies and several decades in top positions in government, politics and advocacy, to Hal’s experience leading legislative priorities for members of Congress, climate policy for government agencies, Vice President Al Gore’s organization, and in the Senate, our newest colleagues have excelled at the highest levels of their respective fields,” said Danny O’Brien, EVP of Corporate Affairs.  “Their leadership will be vitally important as Qcells works to ensure that the promise of a truly domestic solar supply chain, as envisioned by the supporters of the IRA, is realized.”

DeShong brings three decades of strategic communications experience in the corporate, government, trade association and political sectors to Qcells North America. Most recently, DeShong was Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) where she represented the biopharma industry through vaccine hesitancy and an historic federal drug pricing debate. Prior to PhRMA, DeShong managed global communications and industry affairs for MGM Resorts International, where she handled crisis communications for the company after the largest mass shooting on U.S. soil and subsequent litigation.

“Qcells North America plays a key role in America’s energy independence, and I am excited to be joining this dynamic team as that role increasingly grows,” said DeShong.  “I’m proud to be part of a company leading the way on completely clean energy.”

Connolly is an experienced policy adviser who has held senior positions in government, law, and finance. Connolly comes to Qcells North America from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) where he helped create the first-ever climate, sustainability, and resilience programming for the United States’ rail regulator. Prior to the FRA, Connolly oversaw climate and justice policy priorities for former Vice President Al Gore’s climate advocacy organization, The Climate Reality Project. Before his time at Climate Reality, Hal worked on Capitol Hill for 10 years, with his last position leading the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s work on energy and the environment.  In addition to his political career, which also included roles serving on three statewide campaigns and working in the House of Representatives, Hal practiced law in New York City for several years. He is a graduate of Oberlin College and New York University School of Law.

“Qcells is planning to build an American solar supply chain, enhancing US competitiveness, creating jobs, and addressing the climate crisis,” said Connolly.  “I am thrilled to help make this vision a reality working in tandem with our government partners.”

Last week, Wood Mackenzie’s latest U.S. PV Leaderboard Report confirmed Qcells held the No. 1 market share position in U.S. residential and commercial solar module segments for the fourth consecutive year. With its recently announced solar capacity expansion plans and growing integrated energy solutions for the residential, commercial, and utility sectors, Qcells is well positioned to continue its leading market performance in the U.S.

Read more about Debra DeShong’s experience here and Hal Connolly’s experience here.

Qcells | www.qcells.com/us