Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESIO), the premier source for innovative laser-based manufacturing solutions for the microtechnology industry, today announced that Richard H. Wills has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. It is anticipated that Mr. Wills will be appointed Chairman of the Board prior to ESI's next annual meeting in August 2015 when the term of Jon Tompkins, the current Chairman of the Board, will expire. Mr. Tompkins is prohibited from being elected as a director for another term due to the age limitations in the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines. Also, effective immediately, current Board member David Nierenberg will succeed Mr. Tompkins as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Mr. Wills joined the ESI board in August 2014. He was President and CEO of Tektronix from 2000 until 2008, and its Chairman from 2001 through 2008. He joined Tektronix in 1979 and served in a range of marketing, product development and management roles, including President of the Measurement Business and President of Regional Operations for both Europe and the Americas.

Mr. Nierenberg joined the ESI board in February 2010. He is the Founder and President of Nierenberg Investment Management Company, Inc. in Camas, Washington, which manages The D3 Family Funds. He was previously a partner at Bain and Co., a business strategy consulting firm, and serves as Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance and Performance at Columbia University Law School.

About ESI, Inc.

ESI’s integrated solutions allow industrial designers and process engineers to control the power of laser light to transform materials in ways that differentiate their consumer electronics, wearable devices, semiconductor circuits and high-precision components for market advantage. ESI’s laser-based manufacturing solutions feature the micro-machining industry’s highest precision and speed, and lowest total cost of ownership. ESI is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with global operations from the Pacific Northwest to the Pacific Rim. More information is available at www.esi.com.