April 14, 2025
Orion Appoints New CEO Amid Mounting Financial Pressures
Sally Washlow replaces Michael Jenkins after 2.5-year run marked by restructuring and financial losses
After two and a half years at the helm, Mike Jenkins is out as CEO of Orion Energy Systems. On April 14, the Wisconsin-based lighting and EV infrastructure company announced that board member Sally Washlow will step into the top role, bringing with her decades of executive experience and a mandate to sharpen execution and restore shareholder confidence.
Jenkins, who was appointed CEO in late 2022, led Orion through a significant strategic reset. The company moved away from its heavy reliance on a single national retail client, The Home Depot, and emphasized diversifying into EV charging and long-term maintenance contracts. That pivot showed promise. In early 2024, Orion posted its first profitable quarter in years and closed the fiscal year with $90.6 million in revenue — a 17% jump from the year before.
Still, profitability remained the exception rather than the norm. By early 2025, revenues began slipping again. The company recently lowered its full-year forecast to between $77 and $83 million and continues to post modest quarterly losses. Orion’s share price, stuck below $1.00 since late last year, narrowly avoided a NASDAQ delisting in March thanks to a six-month compliance extension.
“We thank Mike for his leadership and many contributions to our Company the past two and half years. However, our Board believes that new leadership is necessary to better focus the Company on executing Orion’s revenue growth and cost containment initiatives and returning Orion to consistent profitability."
— Anthony Otten, Orion’s Board Chair
Washlow’s Mandate: Execute and Deliver Results
Above: Sally Washlow; Image: LinkedIn
Against that backdrop, Washlow’s appointment signals urgency. A former CEO of Cobra Electronics and longtime corporate advisor, she has experience navigating complex turnarounds and executing operational transformations. She’ll also remain on Orion’s board.
Washlow’s compensation is structured to align closely with Orion’s turnaround goals. Her base salary is set at $382,500 — notably lower than the $425,000 base salary awarded to Jenkins when he was appointed CEO in 2022. In addition, she will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, with the majority earmarked for purchasing Orion stock. Her compensation package also includes performance-based stock options that only vest if Orion’s share price reaches significant milestones of $3, $4, and $5 per share.
Green Elevated to President and COO
As part of the same leadership reshuffle, Scott Green — a veteran of Orion and the broader lighting industry — has been promoted to President and COO. Green, who joined Orion via its acquisition of Harris Lighting in 2013, previously served as COO from 2017 to 2021 and has recently overseen the company’s services group.
His promotion is aimed at driving operational discipline and sales execution across Orion’s growing but competitive business lines.
What’s Next for Orion? Execution Will Be Everything
In a statement, Board Chair Anthony Otten framed the changes as essential to realizing Orion’s potential. “We believe Sally has the right skill set, experience, and public company knowledge to lead Orion to achieve our growth and profitability goals — and to return our stock price to an acceptable level,” he said.
Washlow herself struck an optimistic tone, calling Orion’s position in LED lighting, EV charging, and maintenance “a solid foundation” for sustainable growth. “There’s more work to be done,” she said, “but I firmly believe Orion’s future is bright.”
Whether that optimism translates into results remains to be seen. For all its recent challenges, Orion has landed several sizable contracts and has already begun reorganizing its business around a more streamlined commercial structure. With a tighter focus and new leadership in place, the next few quarters will likely determine whether this reshuffle marks a turning point — or just another pivot in a company still searching for consistent traction.
