Karl Taft, one of the founders of local technology company Hoku Corp., has resigned as chief technology officer after nearly 10 years with the company.

The resignation is effective Nov. 30, according to a news release from the company.

Taft was a key member of the board of directors and management team that led Hoku’s 2005 initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market.

He was instrumental in helping develop the company’s fuel cell technology in the early years at Hoku, and later led Hoku’s diversification into the solar integration and polysilicon business.

Taft, together with former chief executive officer Dustin Shindo founded the company in 2001. Taft’s inventions led to 11 U.S. and international fuel cell technology patents, the company said.