Cukurs had been with Suzlon for seven years and headed up its entrance into the North American market. He replaces founder Former National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) chief engineer Sandy Butterfield, who will become chief technology officer.
Last year, Boulder clinched $8 million in Series A Preferred Stock venture capital financing to help develop its next-generation direct-drive design.
The company is designing a radically different architecture that could substantially reduce generating costs.
Boulder has the industry's only direct drive that has no need for iron in the core, as it uses "air core" axial flux. Iron cores tend to "cog" or vibrate, according to Butterfield, which makes them rougher and noisier.
Speaking about Cukurs appointment, Butterfield said: "My goal as founding CEO of Boulder Wind Power was to assemble a world class team, prove the technical and economic superiority of our breakthrough technology, raise capital to fund our development, and build partnerships with some of the best companies in the wind industry.
"With those goals accomplished, it is the perfect time to add a seasoned business leader like Andy to the team to help us expand our organisation and achieve global deployment of our product in partnership with wind turbine OEMs."
Cukurs said: "Boulder Wind Power has created a game changing approach that will enable the delivery of wind energy at a levelised cost competitive with fossil fuel sources. I’m excited to have the opportunity to build on the foundation that Sandy and team have created and establish the company as a leader in delivering advanced technology to the wind industry."
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