CalStar Products, Inc., a manufacturer of low-energy, low-CO2 green building products, today announced the promotion of its Chief Operating Officer, Thomas M. Pounds, to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Pounds has led the day-to-day operations of the company since March 2008, and managed the development of brick and paver products from early prototype to scale production in CalStar’s new manufacturing facility in Caledonia, Wisconsin.
“CalStar is fortunate to have a superb team behind a great product, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead the company in its mission to help reduce the energy and carbon footprint of building materials,” said Pounds.
Pounds will succeed Michael Kane, who will remain on CalStar’s Board of Directors. Kane commented “With the new manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, enthusiastic customers, and supportive investors, CalStar is perfectly positioned to enter the market, and I look forward to helping Tom and the company succeed.”
Paul Holland of Foundation Capital, a lead investor and CalStar Board member, said “CalStar has been hitting on all cylinders for the past year, getting its plant up and running on schedule, winning federal stimulus funding, and building out the operating team with industry veterans. Tom has been at the center of those developments and I’m excited to have him taking the reins as CEO.”
Pounds was among CalStar’s first employees in 2007, bringing over 15 years of experience in operations, finance, business development, and corporate development in high-growth companies. He previously held senior management positions at a venture-backed RFID company, Battelle Memorial Institute, and The Boston Consulting Group. He holds an M.S. in Management from MIT and a B.Sc. in Structural Engineering and Architecture from Princeton University.
About CalStar Products:
CalStar Products, Inc. develops and manufactures sustainable building products that allow green architects and specifiers to dramatically reduce the energy and CO2 footprint of their projects and incorporate significant recycled materials, without compromising building performance or budgets. CalStar’s fly ash bricks and pavers were named a Top Green Product of 2010 by Architectural Record magazine.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley with a manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, CalStar’s mission encompasses national priorities of supporting energy independence, mitigating climate change, preserving natural resources, recycling industrial by-products, and creating green jobs.