ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WLDN) today announced the expansion of its leadership in energy and sustainability services with the corporate appointment of Edward R. Saltzberg, Ph.D. as Senior Vice President, effective January 5, 2015. A 30-year energy and environmental industry expert and advisor, Dr. Saltzberg will play a key role in Willdan's executive leadership by taking responsibility for diversification and expansion of the firm's energy and environmental programs, and economic development services, working primarily with subsidiary Willdan Energy Solutions.

"Ed brings to Willdan extraordinary business acumen learned from 30 years of experience winning several billion dollars of federal awards," said Chief Executive Officer Tom Brisbin. "Having advised and worked for world-class firms including Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), DynCorp (now CSC), SRA International and Battelle Memorial Institute, Ed's energy industry credentials and expertise will be a powerful complement to Willdan as we pursue our next stage of growth and development."

In 2007, Dr. Saltzberg formed ERS Advisors to use his 30 years of professional services business experience to help government contractors improve competitiveness and grow their companies. ERS clients included energy, security, asset management, environmental and advisory services firms needing business growth strategies and creative ways to expand and succeed in the government market. Dr. Saltzberg is also a founder and managing director of the Security and Sustainability Forum (SSF), a public interest organization that convenes global experts to address the impacts on society from climate and other disruptions to natural systems. SSF has an international following of over 12,000 sustainability and energy professionals and decision makers from industry, government and academia/nonprofits.

Prior to ERS and SSF, Dr. Saltzberg was a senior manager at Battelle Memorial Institute, the world's leading private science and technology company and was a corporate officer at SAIC. He has also been a partner, director and major stockholder in two private professional services firms that were subsequently acquired by public companies (one to Computer Sciences Corporation and the other to SRA International).

Dr. Saltzberg is active in local economic development and civic activities in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia, an MA in Geology from Boston University, and a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

About Willdan Energy Solutions

Willdan Energy Solutions is a leading national provider of specialized energy, water, and resource management services to a growing list of clients that includes utilities, local and federal governments, hospitals, schools and private enterprises. Our integrated portfolio of services comprises marketing and engineering, program management and implementation of energy efficiency and water conservation programs and development and implementation of information systems for the energy industry. Additional areas of expertise include hardware retrofits, commissioning and retro-commissioning, demonstrations of new technologies, energy efficiency education/outreach, sustainability strategy, and local government partnerships.

About Willdan Group, Inc.

Celebrating its 50th year of business, Willdan provides outsourced professional technical and consulting services to public agencies, public and private utilities, and commercial and industrial firms throughout the United States. Willdan benefits from well-established relationships, industry-leading expertise and a solid reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget. The company's service offerings span a broad set of complementary disciplines that include engineering and planning, energy efficiency and sustainability, financial and economic consulting, and national preparedness. Willdan has crafted this set of integrated services so that, in the face of an evolving environment—whether economic, natural, or built—Willdan can continue to extend the reach and resources of its clients. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to our ability to expand our service offerings and geographic reach, continue to win new contracts and locate and successfully complete acquisition opportunities. It is important to note that Willdan's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the local and regional economies of the states where Willdan conducts business and the loss of or inability to hire additional qualified professionals. Willdan's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in Willdan's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 27, 2013. Willdan cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan disclaims any obligation to, and does not undertake to, update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

Willdan Group, Inc.
Stacy McLaughlin, 714-940-6300
Chief Financial Officer
smclaughlin@willdan.com
or
Investor/Media Contact
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Kristen Papke, 310-622-8225
kpapke@finprofiles.com

Source: Willdan Group, Inc.

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