VANCOUVER, WA, Apr 02 (MARKET WIRE) —
Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX) today announced that the Board of
Directors has accepted Brian Dunham’s resignation as Chief Executive
Officer, and appointed Richard A. Roman to serve as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Mr. Roman has been a member of the Company’s
Board of Directors since 2003, and remains on the Board. Mr. Dunham will
continue to serve as President and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Roman joins the Company from Columbia Ventures Corporation (CVC),
where he has been President since 2002. CVC is a private investment
company with significant holdings in the United States and Europe. During
more than 17 years at CVC, Mr. Roman has served in a variety of
capacities including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to joining CVC in 1992, Mr. Roman was a partner at the independent
accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand.

Mr. Roman has served on the Audit Committee of the Board, which, as has
been previously disclosed, is conducting, with the assistance of
independent professionals, an ongoing internal investigation of certain
accounting matters, including certain revenue recognition practices. As
CEO, Mr. Roman’s initial primary focus will be on achieving a resolution
of these issues.

“I believe this change is in the best interests of the Company as we
continue through our investigation of accounting matters,” said William
R. Tagmyer, Chairman of the Board. “This investigation has placed
significant demands on the Company and Rich Roman’s addition will help
bring these issues to resolution. It is important during this period to
maintain and strengthen our focus on our operations and opportunities. As
President, Brian Dunham’s time and energy will be concentrated on the day
to day operations of the Company.”

About Northwest Pipe Company

Northwest Pipe Company manufactures welded steel pipe and other products
in two business groups. Its Water Transmission Group is the leading
supplier of large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe products that are
used primarily for water infrastructure in North America. Its Tubular
Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range
of applications including construction, agricultural, energy, traffic and
other commercial and industrial uses. The Company is headquartered in
Vancouver, Washington and has manufacturing operations in the United
States, Mexico, and Indonesia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking” statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words
such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, sees, estimates
and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect
management’s current views and estimates of future economic and market
circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial
results. Actual results could vary materially from the description
contained herein due to many factors, including the completion of the
Audit Committee’s investigation, the completion of any additional
accounting work required as a result of the Audit Committee’s
investigation, the completion of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and for the year
ended December 31, 2009, the completion of the quarterly review and
annual audit, respectively, of such financial statements by the Company’s
independent registered public accountants, the risks related to the
continuation of the Company’s inability to file required reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, continued poor or further weakened
domestic or international economic conditions, risks related to project
delays, risks related to changes in bidding activity, market demand,
operating efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials,
availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing,
competitive environment, and other risks described from time to time in
the Company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
forward-looking statements we make today speak only as of today and we do
not undertake any obligation to update any such statements to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after today.

CONTACT:
Stephanie Welty, Chief Financial Officer
360-397-6323

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