HOUSTON, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — NEUTEX Advanced Energy Group, Inc. today announced that President and CEO, John C. Higgins is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Gulf Coast Area Award finalist. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. John Higgins was selected as a finalist from nearly 50 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Wednesday, June 22 at the Houston Intercontinental Hotel. “I am so pleased to be a finalist amongst other entrepreneurs in the Gulf Coast area that are visionaries and job creators in their specialized fields. Entrepreneurs are often measured by the efforts and success of one person. Without the strength and entrepreneurial spirit of my teammates at NEUTEX my dreams of being a successful entrepreneur could not be realized.” The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year overall National Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 12, 2011. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, which will be held November 9–13, 2011.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor. In the Gulf Coast Area, sponsors include Fullbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Lockton Companies, SAP, SolomonEdwardsGroup LLC, HFBE, Smart Business Magazine and Pierpont Communications.

About NEUTEX Advanced Energy Group, Inc.

Founded in 2007, NEUTEX Advanced Energy Group, Inc.™ is the maker of the most advanced lighting products available. The use of key technologies; LED, Induction & Wind / Solar Hybrids feature unprecedented energy efficiency and quality. For more information about NEUTEX Lighting™ or any of the NEUTEX Advanced Energy Group of companies, visit their website at www.neutexlighting.com.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About the Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.