By Cassandra Sweet Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES U.S. solar-panel maker First Solar Inc. (FSLR) said Wednesday it will enlarge its board of directors and tap a former First Solar executive and a member of the Walton family to join the company's board. First Solar said it has nominated George "Chip" Hambro, a former chief operating officer at the company, and Richard "Rick" Chapman, a member of the Walton family and chief financial officer of Walton Enterprises Inc., to serve on First Solar's board. First Solar said it plans to expand its board from nine members to 11 members and that it has hired an executive search firm to help identify candidates. The company also plans to replace Jose Villarreal, a board member since 2007, who plans to retire from the board "due to personal commitments" and won't seek reelection, the company said. Hambro held various positions at First Solar from June 2001 through June 2009, including serving as chief operating officer from February 2005 through May 2007, according to the company. Chapman served on the board of managers of First Solar Holdings LLC, prior to the company's initial public offering, and JWMA LLC, formerly called True North Partners LLC, an equity investment firm that bought a majority stake in First Solar before the company went public in 2006. The Walton family, which founded Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), is a longtime investor in First Solar. First Solar Chairman and interim Chief Executive Mike Ahearn was a partner and president of JWMA/True North Partners before becoming chief executive of First Solar in August 2000. -By Cassandra Sweet, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6468; cassandra.sweet@dowjones.com Order free Annual Report for First Solar, Inc. Visit http://djnewswires.ar.wilink.com/?link=FSLR or call 1-888-301-0513 Order free Annual Report for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Visit http://djnewswires.ar.wilink.com/?link=WMT or call 1-888-301-0513
