MANITOWOC, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex: OESX), a leading power technology enterprise, announced today that Michael Harris, CPA, has been named Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2011. Orion's former Chief Financial Officer, Scott Jensen, CPA, has been appointed to the newly-created position of Chief Accounting Officer and will continue to serve as a member of the management team.

Prior to this new appointment, Harris served as Vice President of Investor Relations since October 2010. Prior to joining Orion, Harris was the owner of Harris Business Solutions LLC, a firm he founded in 2005 where he served as a consultant providing expertise on a variety of accounting and financial analysis issues — particularly for portfolio managers and research analysts at money management firms. Prior to being an independent consultant, Harris was a senior research analyst at Robert W. Baird. He began his career in public accounting at KPMG Peat Marwick, followed by a regional firm, where he most recently was an accounting and audit manager. Harris is a licensed certified public accountant and studied under the CFA program.

Prior to the appointment of Chief Accounting Officer, Jensen served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since July 2008. From 2004 to 2008, Jensen served as Orion's Controller and Vice President of Corporate Finance, and as the company's Director of Finance. Prior to joining Orion, Jensen was the manager of financial planning and analysis at the Mirro Co. (a division of Newell Rubbermaid). Jensen is a licensed certified public accountant.

Neal Verfuerth, Chief Executive Officer of Orion commented, "This is a natural transition for Mike given his strong accounting and financial analysis background and prior experience with public companies. Since joining Orion last fall, Mike's significant experience in analyzing the business models of a variety of public companies has served as a valuable resource in evaluating and modeling any change contemplated in our strategic planning process. Going forward, the company is well positioned to capitalize on the foundation we've established. Mike will be responsible for establishing and ongoing monitoring of operating performance metrics that are consistent with the returns we want to deliver to our shareholders. Mike's skillset will also be particularly useful in addressing the Company's capital formation needs going forward, as well as in evaluating potential merger and acquisition opportunities. He will continue to oversee all investor relations operations for Orion."

Verfuerth continued, "Scott's new role as Chief Accounting Officer is a necessary transition for the Company with the hands-on experience he's gained over the past seven years in various financial management positions. Orion's business model has evolved and become more complex in recent years, requiring an expanded role for the corporate controller position into a senior-management level, accounting officer role."

About Orion Energy Systems

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex: OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems — consisting primarily of high-performance, energy efficient lighting systems and controls and related services for commercial and industrial customers — without compromising their quantity or quality of light. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.

Orion Energy Systems Inc.
Investor Relations Contact
Mike Harris
Chief Financial Officer
(920) 892-5412
mharris@oesx.com

Source: Orion Energy Systems Inc.

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