Orion

Neal Verfuerth co-founded Orion Energy Systems in 1996 and has been Orion's Chief Executive Officer since 2005. As an industry pioneer for more than 25 years, Mr. Verfuerth has been the driving force behind Orion's innovation and growth. Under his leadership, the company has been referred to as a "disruptive force" in the marketplace.

In 2001, Mr. Verfuerth created a new concept in industrial high bay lighting called the Illuminator. The product offering has since been expanded to include the Compact Modular™ high performance lighting platform, InteLite® wireless dynamic sensor and control systems, and the direct renewable Apollo® solar light pipe. He has also launched Orion Asset Management and Orion Engineered Systems as wholly owned subsidiaries.

Mr. Verfuerth is the primary inventor on 34 U.S. patents with 30 more pending. His product innovations have won numerous prestigious awards and honors including:

• National Society of Professional Engineers' New Product of the Year (two time winner)
• Plant Engineering Product of the Year Grand Award
• MIT Club of Wisconsin Technology Achievement Award

Mr. Verfuerth's accomplishments as a business leader have earned him:

• Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year (three time winner)
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Platts Global Energy Award for Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year
• Alliance to Save Energy Super Nova Award

In 2009, President Barack Obama recognized Mr. Verfuerth as a visionary, and the Obama administration has since invited him to the White House to advise the President's staff on energy efficiency issues. In January 2011, the President visited Orion, singling out the company for its innovation in developing new products and technologies as an example of "how America will win the future – by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our competitors."

Michael Potts was appointed to President and Chief Operating Officer in July 2010 and assumed the role of President in February 2011. Mr. Potts joined Orion in 2001 as Vice President of Technical Services and has served as a Director since that time. From 1988 through 2001, Mr. Potts was employed by Kohler Co., one of the world's largest manufacturers of plumbing products. From 1990 through 1999, he held the position of supervising engineer-energy in Kohler's energy and utilities department. In 2000, Mr. Potts assumed the position of supervisor-energy management group of Kohler's entire corporate energy portfolio, as well as the position of general manager of its natural gas subsidiary. Mr. Potts is a recognized expert in energy issues, and has often testified before state and federal regulatory bodies regarding energy-related issues. Mr. Potts is licensed as a professional engineer in Wisconsin.

Scott R. Jensen has been our Chief Financial Officer since June 3, 2011 and our Treasurer since July 2008. He also served as our Chief Accounting Officer form April 2011 until June 3, 2011, as our Chief Financial Officer from July 2008 until April 2011, as our Controller and Vice President of Corporate Finance form 2007 until 2008 and as our Director of Finance from 2004 to 2007. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Jensen was the manager of financial planning and analysis at the Mirro Co. (a division of Newell Rubbermaid). Mr. Jensen is a certified public accountant.

John Scribante has been President of the Orion Engineered Systems division since August 2009. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Scribante served as Orion's Senior Vice President of Business Development since 2007. He served as the company's Vice President of Sales from 2004 until 2007. Prior to joining Orion, Mr. Scribante co-founded and served as CEO from 2003 to 2004 of Xe Energy LLC, a distribution company that specialized in marketing energy reduction technologies. From 1996 to 2003, he co-founded and served as president of Innovize LLC, a company that provided outsourcing services to mid-market manufacturing companies.

Daniel J. Waibel became our Executive Vice President in August, 2011. He was formerly the President of our Orion Asset Management Division since July 2008. Prior to being appointed President of the Orion Asset Management Division, Mr. Waibel had served since 2001 as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Waibel has over 19 years of financial management experience, and is a certified public accountant and a certified management accountant. From 1998 to 2001, he was employed by Radius Capital Partners, LLC, a venture capital business formation firm, as a principal and chief financial officer. From 1994 through 1998, Mr. Waibel was chief financial officer of Ryko Corporation, an independent recording music label. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Waibel was controller and general manager of Chippewa Springs, Ltd., a premium beverage company. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Waibel was director of internal audit for Musicland Stores Corporation, a music retailer. Mr. Waibel was employed by Arthur Andersen, LLP from 1982 to 1990 as an audit manager.