Lighting firm hires new CEO

SARASOTA — Sunovia Energy Technologies, a financially troubled LED lighting firm, has hired its third CEO in less than two years.

The new top executive is Mel Interiano, who was most recently a sales manager and business development executive at Orsam Sylvania, a prominent light bulb and light materials company.

Interiano replaces Erich Hofer, who was named interim CEO in January. Hofer meanwhile, replaced Art Buckland, who was hired in August 2010 to lead a shift in the company from solar lights to light emitting diodes, or LEDs. The solar strategy was unsuccessful, and the firm ultimately reported $70 million in losses over four years.