HUDSON, N.H., Aug. 14 - Presstek, Inc., a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, today announced the appointment of Bernard Walik to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer of its Tucson, Arizona-based subsidiary, Lasertel, Inc. Mr. Walik joined Lasertel as Vice President of Manufacturing when the subsidiary was created in April 2000. As COO, Mr. Walik will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Lasertel, including budgetary control. "We are delighted to have Bernie, with his extensive industry experience, in this new role,'' said Robert W. Hallman, Presstek's president and chief executive officer. "His appointment by the board accomplishes a number of objectives. First, it frees Tom Dearmin, Lasertel's president, to focus entirely on new business development. Second, it gives Bernie broad authority to execute the initiatives that we believe are necessary to align Lasertel's costs with its present revenues, eliminate waste and improve yields on diode production. We are hopeful these initiatives will ensure Lasertel's viability as a long-term supplier of laser diodes.'' Mr. Walik has more than 18 years of experience in laser optics, including seven years in high-power laser diode manufacturing. Prior to joining Lasertel, Walik served as vice president of manufacturing for five years at Opto Power Corporation in Tucson, Arizona, a manufacturer of high-power laser diodes. While at Opto Power, Walik helped lead the development of Opto Power's 40,000 square-foot clean room and the industry's first high-volume, low-cost production facility for high-power laser diodes. Opto Power has since been acquired by Spectra-Physics, Inc., in Mountain View, California, where Walik previously worked as manager of the Optics Coating Division.