SOLON, Ohio, Dec. 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy Focus, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFOI), a leader in LED lighting technologies, today announced the addition of Charles Connor to its Advisory Board. In addition to being a renowned leader in the nonprofit sector having served in leadership posts at the American Lung Association and American Red Cross, Mr. Connor is the President of U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association and served for 25 years as a U.S. Navy public affairs officer.
The Company's Advisory Board consists of key business leaders, who through their industry experience, expertise, and network, advise the Company's management team in formulating and executing strategies to develop and expand in target sectors and verticals.
"We are absolutely delighted to have Mr. Connor as the fourth and newest member of our Advisory Board," said James Tu, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Focus Inc. "We admire Chuck's long-term dedication to and success within the U.S. Navy, as well as his extensive and brilliant track record in improving community wellbeing through his nonprofit efforts. We look forward to having his advice and assistance in raising awareness of the environmental and health benefits of our LED lighting products versus fluorescent lights, as we expand further into the various levels and domains of the Federal government."
Eric Hilliard, President and Chief Operating Officer of Energy Focus Inc. added, "The leadership and experience Mr. Connor brings will help us expand our Federal client base and enhance the relationships we have with our current clients. Having an advisor in the Washington, D.C. area, where our new sales and support office is located, will allow us to accelerate the push into the Federal ESCO and overall government markets."
"I am extremely pleased to join Energy Focus in this advisory capacity," said Charles Connor. "There is a social responsibility to improve health, safety and environmental conditions when we are able. Energy Focus' proven tubular LED lamps typically are 50% to 75% more energy efficient than traditional fluorescent lamps, lowering the cost of energy and the carbon footprint, and ultimately improving the environment in which we live. I look forward to working with the Energy Focus team to assist governmental agencies and other nonprofit and commercial organizations in realizing significant benefits of tubular LEDs."
About Charles Connor
Mr. Connor is President of Charles D Connor, LLC, a consultancy firm offering strategy building and communications services, and President of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association. From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Connor was President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Lung Association National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Connor was the Lung Association's Chief Operating Officer, where he managed the day-to-day operations and led the strategic planning and positioning of the more than one-hundred year-old public health voluntary organization. Before joining the Lung Association, Mr. Connor served five years in the position of Senior Vice President for Communication and Marketing with the American National Red Cross, where he led all internal, external and stakeholder communication and marketing efforts including market research, advertising, events management, entertainment outreach and internet communications. Prior to the Red Cross, Mr. Connor was Principal for Client Strategy with The Dilenschneider Group in Chicago, specializing in communications strategy development, litigation support, crisis control, issues management and media relations. Mr. Connor also served as the first director of Public Affairs for the Federal Judiciary in Washington, D.C., and he spent 25 years as a U.S. Navy public affairs officer, leaving the service with the rank of Captain.
A native of Chicago, Mr. Connor graduated from Loyola University of Chicago Law School and is a member of the bar of both Illinois and the District of Columbia. He holds a B. A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois and attended Portland State University for graduate study in marketing and communications. Mr. Connor is a past member of the board of directors of the American Marketing Association Foundation, the American Judicature Society and the Stars & Stripes newspaper. He has testified before Congressional committees and addressed such distinguished groups as the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, the Dallas Rotary Club, the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas and the Aspen Institute.
Forward Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "seeks," "projects," "intends," "plans," "may," "will," "should," "could," "would" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Energy Focus' forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: growth in the markets into which Energy Focus sells; conditions of the lighting industry and the economy in general; statements as to our competitive position; future operating results; net sales growth; expected operating expenses; gross profit margin improvement; sources of net sales; anticipated revenue from government customers; product development and enhancements; our ability to manage growth in the demand for our products and in our sales efforts; our liquidity and ability to generate cash and cash reserves; our reliance upon a limited number of customers; our accounting policies; the effect of recent accounting announcements; the development and marketing of new products; relationships with customers and distributors; relationships with, dependence upon, and the ability to obtain components from suppliers; our ability to compete in certain markets; the evolution and future size of those markets; seasonal fluctuations; plans for and expected benefits of outsourcing and offshore manufacturing; trends in the price and performance of light-emitting diode ("LED") lighting products; the benefits and performance of our lighting products; the adequacy of our current physical facilities; our strategy with regard to protecting our proprietary technology; our ability to retain qualified employees; any material failure, weakness, interruption or breach of security of our information technology systems; and the Company's continued compliance with NASDAQ listing conditions. For more information about potential factors that could affect the financial results of Energy Focus, please refer to the Company's SEC reports, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Energy Focus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
About Energy Focus
Energy Focus, Inc. is a leading provider of energy efficient LED lighting products and a developer of energy efficient lighting technology. Our LED Lighting products 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 and many other commercial and industrial clients. Company headquarters are located in Solon, Ohio. For more information, see our web site at www.energyfocusinc.com.