About: Tony Bartol

Profile: Tony Bartol, Vice President of Technical Services Inspired by the idea of designing reliable goods, Tony Bartol became an engineer to create products that don?t fail. After spending years in the construction, maintenance and engineering fields, Tony came to Orion Energy Systems in May 2005. Before coming to Orion, Tony worked for LDI Industries Inc. in Manitowoc, Wis., for eights years and in facility engineering for Kohler Co., in Kohler, Wis., for 14 years, erecting buildings worldwide. Tony ? a master plumber, licensed engineer and certified fluid power engineer ? used his experience in the facility maintenance and construction fields to help him create Orion?s Apollo? solar light pipe, using his knowledge and memory of challenges installing other rooftop products like skylights. Tony?s goal was to create a direct renewable lighting product that wouldn?t have similar problems like leaks or collect bugs or dirt while providing sufficient lighting. By all accounts, he?s succeeded. In March 2009, Orion received the 2008 Product of the Year Grand Award from Plant Engineering magazine for the Apollo light pipe he created.

Posts by Tony Bartol:

• Orion supports UW students, future of innovation