Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact: Thomas M. Mishoe, Jr.
May 29, 2001                                                      (804) 228-5600


                        Open Plan Systems, Inc. Announces
                         Creation of Operating Committee

         RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA (May 29, 2001) - Open Plan Systems,  Inc.  (Nasdaq:
PLANE),  the largest  independent  remanufacturer of work stations in the United
States,  announced  today that its Board of Directors  had  appointed an interim
Operating  Committee to manage the day-to-day  operations of the Company until a
replacement for John L. Hobey,  the Company's Chief  Executive  Officer,  can be
found.  The  Board's  action  followed  the  resignation  of Mr.  Hobey as Chief
Executive  Officer and a director of the Company  effective  May 25,  2001.  The
members of the Operating Committee are David E. Green, Vice President, Steven P.
Hindle,  Vice  President-Sales  and  Marketing,  Robert  E.  O'Neil,  Jr.,  Vice
President-National  Accounts  and  Thomas  M.  Mishoe,  Jr.,  the  former  Chief
Financial  Officer of Eskimo Pie  Corporation  and currently a consultant to the
Company. The Operating Committee also has been tasked with the responsibility of
formulating plans to address current issues facing the Company.

         Anthony F. Markel, Chairman of the Board of the Company, commented "The
establishment of an Operating  Committee is a temporary measure  necessitated by
the  resignation of Mr. Hobey prior to the  appointment  of his  successor.  The
Operating  Committee is composed of three  members of senior  management  of the
Company  and Mr.  Mishoe.  The Board  has a great  deal of  confidence  in these
individuals  to manage the Company  while the Board  continues  its search for a
qualified  chief  executive  officer to  replace  Mr.  Hobey.  The Board is also
actively  engaged in recruiting a chief  financial  officer and a controller for
the Company. In the interim,  the Company's two financial  consultants have been
asked  to  assume  additional  responsibilities  until  these  positions  can be
filled."

         The Company cautions readers that forward-looking  statements contained
herein are based upon  management's  current  knowledge  and  assumptions  about
future events. Actual events, results or performance may be materially different
from  any  events,   results  or  performance   expressed  or  implied  by  such
forward-looking statements.

         Open Plan Systems, Inc.  remanufactures and markets modular office work
stations through a network of Company-owned  sales offices and selected dealers.
Work stations consist of movable panels, work surfaces,  storage units, lighting
and electrical distribution combined into a single integrated unit.