SOLON, Ohio, Sept. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy Focus, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFOI), a leader in LED lighting technologies, today announced Marc S. Byrnes, Chairman of Oswald Companies, one of the top 50 largest insurance brokers in the United States, has joined Energy Focus' Advisory Board.
"We are delighted Marc has chosen to join our Advisory Board," said James Tu, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Focus, Inc. "Marc is nationally recognized for his experience in the areas of executive benefits, compensation, and risk management with a broad knowledge of M&A, investment banking, and private equity consulting experience in both the private and publicly held corporate sectors, domestically and globally. In addition to transforming Oswald into a top national corporate insurance brokerage operation over the past three plus decades, Marc is well known for his commitment and contribution to community through his numerous civic and philanthropic affiliations throughout Northeast Ohio and the Midwest."
"Energy Focus is building the next generation LED lighting distribution network by selling to and serving end corporate customers directly with our highest performance and lowest cost LED products. We believe our clients simply could not obtain the level of performance our LED products provide for the price from traditional, multiple-layered lighting distribution channels. Marc's broad and deep connections in the business community will open up opportunities for us as we seek to expand our reach to our targeted geographical, as well as commercial and industrial vertical markets," added Tu.
"Energy Focus is on the verge of becoming one of the elite growth companies in the country by transforming the lighting landscape of businesses with its industry-leading LED products," said Marc S. Byrnes. "I am honored to support their sales and marketing efforts in an advisory role."
About Marc S. Byrnes
Marc S. Byrnes is Chairman of Oswald Companies. Under Mr. Byrnes' leadership, the 120-year employee-owned company has enjoyed significant growth and recently strengthened its position among the top 50 largest insurance brokers in the United States. The firm is also ranked among the elite top 10 privately held brokers in the country specializing in employee benefits and financial services which was founded by Byrnes when his agency merged with Oswald in 1987.
A fixture in the Northeast Ohio civic community, Byrnes served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Leadership Center (2010-2013), the preeminent organization for civic education of civic leaders; Co-Chair of the 2008-2009 United Way of Greater Cleveland's campaign and was named the 2011 United Way Volunteer of the Year. He serves as Donor Chairman for United Way Board of Trustees as well as on the Executive Committee. Byrnes is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Trustees and Development Committee and Teach for America Advisory Board. He also serves on University School's Advancement and Executive Committees and Board of Trustees and he received University School's Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award in 2012.
In addition, Byrnes serves as a Board Advisor to GBX Insurance, Public Square Partners, Referdia, Tailwind Technologies, Inc. and US Bank. Both Crain's Cleveland and Inside Business include him among the 100 most influential leaders in the Cleveland community. Byrnes served (2012-2013) as President of the 50 Club of Cleveland, the city's largest leading business society.
A 1972 graduate of University School, Byrnes earned his B.A. at Williams College in 1976.
About Energy Focus, Inc.
Energy Focus, Inc. is a leading provider of energy efficient LED lighting products, turnkey energy efficient lighting solutions and a developer of energy efficient lighting technology. Our solutions provide energy savings, aesthetics, safety and maintenance cost benefits over conventional lighting. Our long-standing relationship with the U.S. Government continues to enable us to provide energy efficient LED lighting products to the U.S. Navy and the Military Sealift Command fleets.
Customers include national, state and local U.S. government agencies as well as Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. Navy, and many others. Company headquarters are located in Solon, OH, with additional offices in Nashville, TN, and the United Kingdom. For more information, see our web site at www.energyfocusinc.com.