ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN) today announced the appointment of acclaimed veteran infrastructure expert John Rinard as Chief Executive Officer of the newly minted division, Willdan Infrastructure, an outgrowth of Willdan's venerable half-century of technical excellence, cost-effectiveness, and client responsiveness. Drawing from Willdan's 500+ professionals and complementing its highly regarded engineering and project management service groups, Willdan Infrastructure seeks to expand Willdan's reach into projects across the infrastructure spectrum including transportation, ports and freight mobility, water, mining, and heavy civil.

"The industry is changing. And companies of our size possess greater flexibility; we're much more nimble in everything from project delivery to local sensitivities," explains Rinard. "Thomas Jefferson said, ‘In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.' And that pretty much describes our philosophy. We're big enough to have global expertise and capability and small enough to be nimble and responsive. Our size and expertise provides the best of all worlds."

Rinard knows of what he speaks. He possesses a dynamic history of helming complex, notable projects including the Alameda Transportation Corridor and Southern California Regional Rail Authority's Metrolink system. His U.S. successes led to international prominence on five continents in roles such as Chief Operating Officer/Programs Director for the $65 billion Libya Housing and Infrastructure Program and the $7 billion West Pilbara mining project in Australia.

"Building on Willdan's superb record, I look to use my history in international large project experience and project delivery to realize significant infrastructure projects here at home. We look to take global experience and combine it with U.S. know-how. But this is not about perfection or volume. This is about excellence. We're looking to build relationships over time and to become a virtual advocate for the public sector through the infrastructure we help them create."

Headquartered in Anaheim, Willdan Infrastructure seeks to take advantage of its strength in the Western U.S., particularly through Willdan's 16 offices throughout California. Willdan Infrastructure also benefits from the firm's established relationships and track record for delivering projects on time and on budget, and looks to use that expertise for essential transportation programs and projects.

About Willdan Group, Inc.

Founded in 1964, Willdan provides professional technical and consulting services to public agencies at all levels of government, public and private utilities, and commercial and industrial firms. Willdan provides a broad range of services to clients throughout the United States, including engineering and planning, energy efficiency and sustainability, economic and financial consulting, and national preparedness and interoperability. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com

Willdan Infrastructure, Inc.

Building on Willdan's 50 years of core service as a seamless extension of city and public agency staff, Willdan's infrastructure team brings specific technical expertise and essential local knowledge to deliver large, complex projects on time and on budget.

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which 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, the risk that Willdan will not be able to expand its services or meet the needs of customers in markets in which it operates. 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 for the year ended December 28, 2012 filed on March 26, 2013 and the Quarterly Reports on the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2013 filed on May 9, 2013, for the quarter ended June 28, 2013 filed on August 8, 2013 and for the quarter ended September 27, 2013 filed on November 7, 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 B. McLaughlin
Tel: 714-940-6300
smclaughlin@willdan.com
or
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon
Tel: 310-478-2700 x11
mconlon@finprofiles.com

Source: Willdan Group, Inc.

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