Acuity Brands Names William Holl Acuity Specialty Products CEO.

ATLANTA -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) announced that William A. (Bill) Holl, age 48, has joined the Company and has been elected Executive Vice President of Acuity Brands and President and CEO of Acuity Specialty Products (ASP) effective tomorrow. He succeeds James H. Heagle, who has retired from the Company.

Vernon J. Nagel, Chairman, President, and CEO of Acuity Brands, said, "We are pleased to add a leader of Bill Holl's caliber to our team. Bill has a proven track record of profitably growing companies by providing a superior customer experience and by working with and developing people, thereby enhancing shareholder value. He brings substantial management experience in areas including distribution, marketing, operations, and sales. I am confident that under Bill's leadership, ASP can prosper by building on its strong foundation.

"Jim Heagle has helped us build a solid platform at ASP. He has been a valuable and dedicated member of our leadership team as we implemented changes to better position the organization for the future. I thank Jim for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Jim Heagle said, "I have really enjoyed my six years with Acuity Specialty Products. I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful and talented people who really care about their company. I wish Bill and all the employees of ASP the very best in the years to come."

Before joining Acuity Brands, Mr. Holl was CEO of Atlanta-based DS Waters Enterprises LP, a home-and-office water delivery company formed by Groupe Danone and Suntory International. Prior to that, he was with Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. from its inception in 1986 until 2003, including service as President of its Eastern North America Group and as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Development. Mr. Holl received a B.S. from the University of Southern California and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Bill Holl said, "I am excited about this great opportunity. ASP has superior products, well-recognized brands, talented leaders, dedicated employees, and a strong direct sales force. I look forward to getting to know the organization and helping it build on these strengths to achieve profitable growth."

Acuity Brands, Inc., with fiscal year 2005 net sales of approximately $2.2 billion, is comprised of Acuity Brands Lighting and Acuity Specialty Products. Acuity Brands Lighting is one of the world's leading providers of lighting fixtures and includes brands such as Lithonia Lighting(R), Holophane(R), Peerless(R), Hydrel(R), American Electric Lighting(R), and Gotham(R). Acuity Specialty Products is a leading provider of specialty chemicals and includes brands such as Zep(R), Zep Commercial(R), Enforcer(R), and Selig(TM). Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Acuity Brands employs approximately 10,000 people and has operations throughout North America and in Europe and Asia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made herein that may be considered forward-looking include statements incorporating terms such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates" and similar terms that relate to future events, performance, or results of the Company, including, without limitation, statements made regarding the future prosperity and profitable growth of Acuity Specialty Products. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the historical experience of Acuity Brands and management's present expectations or projections. Please see the risk factors more fully described in the Company's SEC filings including the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2006.