(Source: PrimeNewswire)HOUSTON, Aug. 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Electric Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AETI), the premium supplier of custom-designed power delivery solutions for the traditional and renewable energy industries, announced today that Charles M. Dauber has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Arthur Dauber has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. These leadership transitions, which are effective September 21, 2009, fulfill the next phase of the Company's strategic growth plan and leverage the institutional knowledge of the existing executive team.

"I believe this change gives AETI the very best prospect of successfully expanding our core power distribution solutions into renewable energy and unique niche markets such as data centers while maintaining and growing our base businesses in a fiscally responsible way," stated Arthur Dauber, AETI's Executive Chairman. "Charles has done a particularly good job of building the next-generation leadership team and introducing new products and customers to our power distribution and services businesses. I am highly confident in his abilities, given his proven track record for leading high-growth businesses," said Dauber.

Charles Dauber commented, "I am enthused by the Board of Director's confidence and know we have the right team in place to successfully execute our plan to grow the Company and produce solid results for our shareholders."

Also announced today, James Steffek was promoted from Senior Vice President, Technical Products and Services to President, M&I Electric, the role previously held by Charles Dauber. James has been a significant contributor to the company's success for 35 years, and has held multiple operational leadership roles including engineering, operations, project management, sales management and business development.

Charles Dauber initially joined M&I in 1985 as an electrician's helper in the company's electrical construction business. In 1991, he was appointed to the board of directors of M&I, a role he held until 1995.

Charles Dauber returned to M&I on February 1, 2007 and became Senior Vice President of the Company in May 2007. In January 2008, Dauber was named President of M&I Electric.

In his role at AETI, Dauber has been instrumental in developing and executing growth strategies to position AETI as the leading supplier of power distribution systems in alternative energy growth markets, as well as unique niche markets in the technology industry.