[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF A LIGHTING PIONEER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL POSEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2011

  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bring to the 
attention of the House the loss of a husband, a father, and an 
industrial pioneer. On January 3, 2011, Zachary S. Gibler passed away 
from injuries sustained in a biking accident. He was just 44 years old. 
Gibler is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughter, Rachel.
  Zach Gibler was the Chairman and CEO of the nation's largest LED 
lighting manufacturer, Lighting Science Group (LSG), which is 
headquartered in Satellite Beach, Florida and employs 400 workers. 
Specifically, the Lighting Science Group designs, develops, 
manufactures and markets LED light bulbs that are environmentally 
friendlier and more energy efficient than traditional lighting 
products.
  Gibler had quickly become a leader in a budding industry that will 
play a key in our nation's future. His pioneering efforts have grown 
operations in Florida from 35 employees to more than 400 in less than 
two years.
  Known for his passion for helping those in need, Gibler hired many 
former NASA workers who had been laid off due to the transitions in our 
nation's human space flight program and utilized their skills to 
manufacture American-made LED lights that are highly energy efficient 
and are very competitive to foreign-made LED competitors. Just walk 
into Home Depot or any other hardware store and you'll find LED bulbs 
that are made by the Lighting Science Group--it's an American product 
built by American workers.
  In June of 2009, Zachary Gibler became CEO of Lighting Science Group 
and was made president just a few months later in September of 2009. 
Gibler was then named Chairman of the Lighting Science Group in March 
2010. He was a lighting industry veteran having previously held a 
variety of senior roles at Acuity Brands.
  Gibler effectively worked to shape Lighting Science Group into the 
LED lighting manufacturer it is today, which is continuing to create 
additional, good-paying jobs in my home state of Florida and making a 
significant contribution to making America more energy efficient.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Zach's family and friends as they 
cope with this unexpected loss at the beginning of the year.

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