DAVID VIEAU

CEO, A123 Systems Inc.

Chosen because: Vieau, 61, is the only CEO A123 has ever had. He joined the company in March 2003, three months after its initial financing. Under his watch, the company has landed some prime EV projects for its trademarked Nanophosphate lithium ion battery technology, which can be used in hybrid and electric vehicles. In September 2010, A123 opened the largest lithium ion battery plant in North America. In March of this year, A123 was awarded an $8 million contract by the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium to develop lighter, cheaper and more powerful hybrid batteries. A123's batteries power Fisker Automotive's Karma electric sports car. In December 2009, the battery maker agreed to form a battery manufacturing joint venture with China's SAIC Motor Corp.

Quote: "As of 2002, 99 percent of all advanced lithium ion batteries were made outside the United States."