Optek Technology, Inc. Announces Strategic Management Changes

31 March 1999
Optek Technology, Inc. Announces Strategic Management Changes
    CARROLLTON, Texas, March 31 -- Optek Technology, Inc.
today announced a major step in its organizational development
with the appointment of two key executives to newly created positions.
    The Company named Richard G. Dahlberg to the position of Senior Vice
President and Director of Operations.  In his new role, Dahlberg will assume
responsibility for all Carrollton-based manufacturing in addition to his
current engineering responsibilities.  Dahlberg was formerly Senior Vice
President of Engineering for Optek and has been with the Company since 1983 in
various engineering positions.
    Optek also announced the appointment of Robert J. Kosobucki to the newly
created position of Vice President, Strategic Marketing.  Kosobucki has served
as Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing since 1995 and has more than
twenty years marketing experience with high-technology companies.  Optek plans
to name a new Sales Manager in the near future.
    Commenting on the management changes, Jerry L. Curtis, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Optek, said, "As we pursue higher sales growth rates, we
are becoming more market driven, anticipating our customers' needs and
developing the requisite technology in advance of customer requests.  We are
also more closely aligning our engineering and manufacturing efforts in order
to get new products to market faster without sacrificing manufacturing
performance or quality.  Over the last year, we have upgraded our
manufacturing facilities and have invested in additional engineering talent.
We believe these key management appointments are the next logical step in our
efforts to build a stronger, more growth-oriented organization."
    In addition, Thomas S. Garrett will be retiring effective April 23, 1999.
Garrett was formerly Senior Vice President, Operations for Optek and has been
with the Company since 1991.
    Thomas R. Filesi, Chairman and CEO of Optek, said, "We appreciate Tom
Garrett's significant contributions to the Company over the last several
years.  Tom was instrumental in our restructuring efforts and enabled us to
build a strong manufacturing team.  We will miss him and wish him all the best
in his retirement."
    Optek Technology, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of custom optoelectronic,
magnetic and fiber optic sensor products.  Optek provides components worldwide
for manufacturers of office and computer equipment, automobiles, industrial
equipment, aerospace and defense applications, medical equipment and
telecommunications equipment.  Additional information can be accessed on the
Internet at http://www.optekinc.com.
    Statements contained in this release, other than statements of historical
fact, should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of
federal securities laws and therefore include risks and uncertainties.
Significant factors that may affect results include, but are not limited to,
unexpected difficulties in integrating functional areas, technological
impediments to developing products to perform specific functions and other
factors affecting the order and delivery of products.  Additional factors are
described in the Company's public filings.