MANITOWOC, Wis., Sep 11, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX) announced today that Russell M. Flaum and Roland G. Stephenson have been appointed to Orion's board of directors. Flaum and Stephenson join Thomas Quadracci and James Kackley as independent, outside directors on Orion's six-member board.

Flaum has been executive vice president of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a manufacturer of engineered components and industrial systems, since 1992. Between 1986 and 1992, Flaum held various sales, marketing and executive positions with Illinois Tool Works following its acquisition of Signode Corp., where Flaum had worked since 1975.

Flaum also currently serves as a director and member of the executive committee of the National Association of Manufacturers and as a member of the advisory board of Z Capital Partners LLC. Flaum was a director of Ryerson Tull Inc. from 2004 to 2007, and a director of Quanex Corp. from 1997 to 2007.

Stephenson is the president and chief executive officer of Faith Technologies Inc., a nationwide electrical contractor, and has extensive experience in all phases of the electrical construction industry. Faith Technologies has grown to be one of the largest privately held electrical contractors in the United States since Stephenson started the company in 1972.

Stephenson has earned numerous awards for high ethical standards, business, safety, and excellence. Stephenson serves on the senior advisory board of Junior Achievement, is the advisory board and capital campaign chairman for the Salvation Army, and on the board of directors for the Community Foundation, UW Family Practice Residency and Fox Valley Technical College Foundation.

"Both Russ and Rollie bring strong leadership skills and valuable perspectives to the board and we are excited to work with them to continue strengthening the company," Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth said. "They join us with a wealth of business experience that will benefit Orion."

Flaum was elected by an overwhelming majority of shareholder votes at Orion's 2008 Shareholder Meeting held on September 10, 2008. Flaum replaces Diana Propper de Callejon, a director since January 2007 who retired from Orion's board on September 10. Stephenson is replacing Eckhart G. Grohmann, a director since 2004, who also retired from Orion's board on September 10. It is anticipated that Stephenson will be presented for election at Orion's 2009 annual meeting of shareholders.

"We thank and appreciate all the hard work Eckhart and Diana did while serving on Orion's board of directors," Board Chairman Tom Quadracci said. "We look forward to working closely with Rollie and Russ, whom we're confident will do a great job."

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 3,762 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 357 megawatts, saving customers more than $401 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 3.6 million tons.

About Orion Energy Systems Inc.

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

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SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
          Media Contact:
          Linda Diedrich, Director Corporate Communications
            (920) 482-1988
            ljd@oes1.com
          Investor Relations Contact:
          Erik Birkerts, Chief Operating Officer
            (290) 482-1924
            ebirkerts@oriones.com

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