* Applied Solar Energy Corp. announced the...

* Applied Solar Energy Corp. announced the appointment of David M. Van Buren as president and chief executive.

Van Buren, 43, joins City of Industry-based Applied Solar after serving as vice president and deputy program manager of the B-2 bomber program at Northrop Corp. Van Buren has also served in management positions at Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. and with the Air Force.

Applied Solar produces gallium arsenide and silicon solar cells that convert sunlight directly into electrical power for space and defense applications.

Van Buren succeeds Girard McLarnan, who resigned after Applied Solar’s merger with Westar Capital of Costa Mesa.