Vestas, a provider of high-tech wind power systems, has added Mark Preston as vice president of technology for its North American operations. Preston is based at the company’s North American sales and service headquarters in Portland, Ore.

Preston has more than 25 years of experience in technical, manufacturing and service products and most recently served as the chief operating officer for Megawatt Solar in Hillsborough, N.C. During his career, he has worked as a lead engineer for products, sales, service and technology. Preston’s expertise includes controls, power electronics, motors and generators, solar photovoltaic systems, and wind turbine systems.

Prior to Megawatt Solar, he worked as vice president of engineering/technology for Glacier Bay, and vice president of engineering for Northern Power Systems, a wind turbine design and manufacturing company.

Preston earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sussex in electrical, electronic and control engineering and his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts in mechanical engineering.

Vestas, which has its North American headquarters in Portland, Ore., employs more than 3,300 people in the United States and Canada in positions including sales, operations, manufacturing, engineering and research. Vestas employs more than 20,000 people worldwide.