Iconic pitcher hurls more publicity for LED firm

SARASOTA — LED lighting company Evolucia continues to generate publicity from its partnership with Mariano Rivera, the iconic New York Yankees pitcher who recently retired.

Rivera mentioned the company in an interview on the Charlie Rose Show Oct. 15 and a documentary on Fox entitled Being: Mariano that ran Oct 20, the company says.

The firm recently created a regulation-sized commemorative retirement baseball that features the company's LED lights in honor of Rivera, an Evolucia stakeholder. The ball leaves a trail of light as it is thrown, and is powered by a rechargeable battery.

Evolucia, run since April 2012 by CEO Mel Interiano, also has a partnership with retired pitcher Pedro Martinez. The firm has been through a name change, executive turnover and several strategy changes over the past five years.