Sapphire Energy, a San Diego start-up business that has raised nearly $350 million to develop algae as an alternative to crude oil, has announced that CEO Jason Pyle has stepped down and that it will name Cynthia Warner as its new chief executive officer.

Pyle, who also co-founded Sapphire, will remain on the board of directors. Warner currently serves as Sapphire’s president and board chairwoman. She joined the company after working with British Petroleum.

At BP, Warner worked as group vice president of global refining. She has extensive experience in the refining, energy, and transportation industries and is a member of the National Petroleum Council.

If your business needs help recruiting for executive positions, contact the executive search and management consulting professionals of Construction Hunters today by calling 214-989-6846.

Colfax’s president and CEO Clay Kiefaber, 56, has left the company in order to serve as chief executive officer of ESAB, a welding and cutting business acquired by Colfax in January. The acquisition of ESAB nearly tripled Colfax’s total business and increased its total revenue to $4 billion.

Steven Simms, also 56, was named as the new CEO of Colfax. Simms currently serves as director on Colfax’s board. With over 20 years of senior executive experience, Simms was executive vice president of Danaher Corp. for 11 years and previously worked at Black & Decker Corp. as president of its European operations.

Kiefaber was named CEO of Colfax in 2010 after spending 20 years at Masco Corp. He will remain company director and executive vice president of Colfax.

If you are interested in learning more about how executive recruitment services can help you, contact the executive search and management consulting firm Construction Hunters today at 214-989-6846.

Last week MTS Systems Corp. announced it has hired Jeffrey Graves as the company’s new CEO. He will start his new position on May 7 where he will also serve as a member on the board of directors.

Graves is taking over for William Murray, who served as interim CEO since August after former CEO Laura Hamilton left the company after 12 years. He has previously worked as President and CEO of C Technologies and currently serves on the board at Teleflex Inc. and Hexcel Corp.

The Eden Prairie, Minnestoa-based company specializes in making mechanical testing systems for companies that make products such as farming equipment and cars.

If you are interested in learning more about how executive recruitment services can help you, contact the executive search and management consulting firm Construction Hunters today at 214-989-6846.