Acuity Brands, Inc. announced that effective today, Vernon J. Nagel is the new chairman and chiefexecutive officer, succeeding James S. Balloun, who retired as part of a previously announcedsuccession plan. Mr. Nagel joined Acuity Brands in December 2001 as executive vice president andchief financial officer. In January 2004, he was elected vice chairman and chief financial officer andappointed to the board of directors.“I am excited by the opportunity to provide continued direction to the...