How I Made It: SunPower chief executive sheds light on his company’s transformation
The gig: Tom Werner, 56, is president and chief executive of SunPower Corp., one of the top U.S. solar companies that designs, manufactures and installs products for residential, commercial and utility customers. Werner has held the position since 2003.
On the move: Werner was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and his family eventually settled in Wisconsin. He grew up with three brothers in a competitive household. They all participated in organized sports in high school, but it was in college, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that Werner would set the course for his life. He connected with a marathoner who hooked him on running. “I needed to get my competitive itch scratched,” Werner said.
Man of iron: Werner has participated in 150 triathlons as well as several iron man competitions. “After you do one, you kind of get the bug,” Werner said. He relies on the exercise to keep himself going, not only physically, but mentally. “You get more oxygen to the brain.”
Brawn and brains: If the athletics were fuel for his mind, they served him well. Werner graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1982. He received another bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering degree from Marquette University and a master’s in business administration from George Washington University, completing his formal education in 1995. “I didn’t want to be one of those guys later in life who said, ‘I wish I would have,’” Werner said of his pursuits.
Neutron Jack: Always a high achiever, Werner began his career in General Electric’s management training program, right out of college. He admired GE’s leader at the time, John “Jack” Welch Jr. Welch, the legendary GE executive, was dubbed “Neutron Jack,” a reference to his management approach that sought quality talent while eliminating bottom performers.
“Jack Welch at the time had a huge influence as well because for a company that size, you knew in every division what he wanted,” Werner said. “That intrigued me a lot. It was unlike a lot of big companies. There was a lot of change. He was decentralizing. I was really impressed with how he created change. Of course, his results were phenomenal.” The company grew 4,000% under Welch’s leadership. “I thought he might not be a bad guy to emulate.”
Executive track: Whether running a race or running a company, Werner had solidly set himself on a path as a leader and future head of SunPower. After GE, he juggled family, triathlons, school and executive posts at Silicon Light Machines Inc., an optical solutions subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp.; Business Connectivity Group of 3Com Corp., a network solutions company; and Oak Industries Inc. “I did four things for a decade: I worked, helped raise a family (although my wife would debate that a little bit),” Werner said. “I did triathlons. I went to school. I was a four-trick pony.”
Multiplying: Werner took the helm of SunPower when the company had 35 employees and $4.5 million in revenue. It has grown into a powerhouse solar operation with more than 8,000 workers and $2.6 billion in revenue. “It’s been fun,” he said with a smile.
What’s next: SunPower is moving, Werner said, from a solar company to a solar energy company. So where solar companies had focused on the deployment of solar panels, a solar energy company, he said, offers a variety of products and services, including solar generation, energy storage and energy management. “The industry is going to be dominated by some really big players,” Werner said. “The first thing is to be one of them. If you want to change the world, you build a great company.”
Personal: Werner lives in Los Altos in Silicon Valley with his wife, Suzanne. The couple have two adult daughters, Jessica, 28, and Katheryn, 30, who ended up with a “y” in her name because he was rushing when he wrote it. The high-octane Werner is not the only one in his household who believes in the importance of his exercise regimen. His wife does too. With the stressful nature of running a major company, keeping fit is part of what helps clear his head as well as keep peace at home. “When I come home, my wife will say, ‘Have you worked out yet?’”
Twitter: @ivanlpenn
ALSO
Ellen Pao’s next act targets Silicon Valley’s diversity problem
Uber conquered taxis. Now it’s going after everything else
Immigrants in U.S. illegally are given a shot to return to their professions
