MANITOWOC, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NYSE Amex: OESX), a leading power technology enterprise, announced today that Richard Gaumer, CPA, CFE, has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Operations.

Gaumer will oversee the day-to-day operations of Orion and serve as a member of the management team. Specifically, Gaumer will focus on internal operations productivity and growth scalability, including streamlining numerous processes from quoting activities, order entry, production, inventory management and shipping activities. In addition, Gaumer will provide oversight of the back office operations of Orion involving accounting, billing and collections, as well as human resources and other administrative functions. Gaumer has served as an independent consultant to Orion since June 2010, assisting the Company in adopting an Activity Based Costing program, supporting implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning system and advising on a variety of financial and tax issues.

Most recently, Gaumer was a tenured professor of accounting and leadership at Lakeland College, based in Sheboygan, WI, where he oversaw technical research in the areas of Sarbanes Oxley compliance and Lean Accounting best practices. Gaumer also jointly served as an adjunct professor for the University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin — Green Bay, teaching graduate-level courses on financial decision making.

Prior to his positions in academia and as an independent consultant, Gaumer held various financial executive positions including Chief Financial Officer at Strategic Data Systems, a provider of information technology services, and Divisional Controller at Illinois Tool Works. He began his career at Kohler Co., a diversified manufacturer of plumbing products, furniture, engines and generators, with responsibilities in corporate taxation, internal controls and divisional controller.

The addition of Gaumer will enable Michael Potts, P.E., Orion's President, to better focus his efforts on high-level business development activities at Orion. These activities include a key strategic goal for Orion in selling directly to utilities, by convincing them of the economic and social benefits of investing in energy efficiency improvements on the customer side and still putting it in the rate base like a traditional investment. Potts will also focus his efforts on expanding Orion's presence with large national customers, including building upon the 130 Fortune 500 customers already served by the Company.

"As I've said many times, we believe our people and our partners are our greatest assets," said Orion Chief Executive Officer Neal Verfuerth. "Rick's extensive prior experience in academia, as an independent consultant, as well as a financial executive position him to streamline several areas of Orion's daily operations. In addition, he will serve as a valuable resource in assisting and executing on the strategic direction of the Company as we plan for the next phases of Orion's growth."

Mr. Verfuerth continued, "The addition of Rick Gaumer to the Orion management team will enable Mike Potts to use his extensive industry background, along with experience in dealing with government and civic organizations on energy-related issues, to help coordinate our strategic campaign in selling directly to utilities. In addition, Mike's expertise on energy-related issues will prove valuable in expanding our customer base of blue-chip companies."

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 platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers — without compromising their quantity and quality of light. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.

Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
Investor Relations Contact
Mike Harris
Vice President - Investor Relations
(920) 892-5412
mharris@oesx.com

Source: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

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