Orion hires CFO in next step of Plymouth firm’s expansion

Orion Lighting and Energy Services (orionlighting.com) has announced the appointment of Daniel Waibel of Sheboygan to chief financial officer. Orion recently completed its first round of private financing, with a $5 million second round of financing expected soon. Orion is also planning a 10,000 square-foot addition to its manufacturing facility in Plymouth. Orion has provided energy efficient lighting solutions to Toro, Simplicity, Kohler, Spiller Spring, Hyatt, Tyson Foods, etc.
“With Orion rapid expansion into the commercial, industrial, and manufacturing markets, we felt that it was essential to find a CFO with Dan’s experience,” stated Neal Verfeurth, CEO of Orion. “As we enter the phase in our company’s development that requires financial sophistication and long term planning, Dan brings a blend of operating experience, consulting and venture capital experience to his new role.”
Waibel, a CPA, was an audit manager for Arthur Andersen, LLP for eight years as well as CFO for Ryko Corp., a diversified entertainment company, and CFO for Radius Capital Partners, a boutiques venture capital firm in Boston. At Radius, Waibel has specialized in incubation, consolidation, and financing of emerging companies on their way to IPO’s and the public financial markets.
Orion Lighting and Energy Services has been in business since 1996. It manufactures and markets several patented energy-efficient lighting solutions for the hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial markets.
August 31, 2001 Small Business Times, Milwaukee