CHAMPAIGN – SmartSpark Energy Systems has a new president and chief executive officer.

Ron Van Dell has been named to that position, the Champaign-based company announced Monday. Van Dell was most recently president and chief executive officer of Primarion, a mixed-signal integrated-circuit company based in Torrance, Calif.

He succeeds Frederick T. Krein, who remains with SmartSpark as vice president for finance and administration, Marketing Director Brian Precious said.

SmartSpark, based in the University of Illinois Research Park, is getting ready to launch SolarBridge, an integrated microinverter for solar power systems. Solar inverters change direct-current electricity produced by solar panels to alternating current that can be used to power appliances and connect with the grid.

The company said SolarBridge is more reliable and produces more power than other inverters. The product is based on technologies licensed from the UI.

Van Dell's previous company, Primarion, was acquired by Infineon Technologies of Germany in April 2008. Before joining Primarion, he was president and chief executive officer at Legerity Inc. and in senior management positions at Dell, Harris Semiconductor, Groupe Schneider, Square D Company and General Electric.

"His experience leading innovative start-ups offers exciting possibilities for the company," said Phil Krein, SmartSpark's chairman of the board and co-founder.

Precious said SmartSpark had been looking for a new president and CEO for nine to 12 months.

SmartSpark has a staff of 28 full-time and part-time employees and consultants. It moved into its new space at 2111 S. Oak St., C, in August.