Lighting Controls Podcast

In this episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast, our guest David Fox—Training and Outreach Specialist with ETC—dives deep into DMX512. He challenges the misconception that DMX512 is an unfamiliar protocol and explains its evolution from analog systems to a reliable, widely-used lighting control standard. From the history of saltwater dimmers to the practical rules of wiring and troubleshooting DMX512, this discussion is packed with valuable insights for both beginners and industry professionals.  After getting his start in high school running lights for a Sinatra impersonator in the back room of a Chinese restaurant in beautiful Burbank California, David Fox worked in California as a field service technician, production electrician, house electrician, console programmer, lighting designer, and monitor engineer for several theatres, live concert venues, feature films, and television productions. For the last 25 years, David has been at ETC starting providing frontline phone support. He then transitioned to managing technical support and customer service departments. Currently he works in the education center as the LMS Administrator and instructional designer developing training programs and presenting live and online classes. Since his start in the industry David has been passionate about learning and education believing that what we do is a craft and as such we all have a responsibility to pass along what we know to those who follow us. When not at work, he tries to do as little as possible and generally fails at it.  Connect with David: www.etconnect.com https://learningstage.etcconnect.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fox-instructional-designer-curriculum-developer/ Sponsor: MaxLite www.maxlite.com

Join us in celebrating our 100th episode of the Lighting Controls Podcast! In this special milestone episode, we welcome Craig DiLouie from the Lighting Controls Association and Alexa Berger from NEMA to discuss the future of lighting education, workforce development, and technological innovation in lighting controls.   We explore the transition from Education Express to the new NEMA Academy, an all-in-one platform for industry professionals to access high-quality education and training. Plus, we dive into the evolving landscape of lighting controls, from wireless systems to AI integration and the growing demand for electrical professionals in the industry.   Big thanks to our sponsor MaxLite and to the Lighting Controls Association and NAILD for making the 100th episode possible!   

Lighting controls are evolving, but do we all speak the same language? Join Webster Marsh as he and Chris O'Shea from Control Force tackle the biggest terminology challenges in the industry. From different definitions across the U.S. and Europe to the confusion between "dimmer" and "controller," this episode uncovers why consistency in terminology matters more than ever for professionals and newcomers alike! Are we using the right words? Watch now and find out!  Son of the founder of O'Shea Electric, Chris comes by this industry honestly. Finding his interest in theatrical lighting, he worked for, among others, Strand Lighting, Thea Enterprises representing Lutron, Chelsea Lighting, and most recently at PG Elite Lighting Service as Manager of Sales and Marketing. As Chris O'Shea Theatrical Lighting Design from 1996-2018, he has been a designer, stage tech, and board-operator for over 180 productions from the local church to Carnegie Hall. He is now the Head of Marketing and Business Development for Control Force.  Connect with Chris: www.controlforce.com  Sponsor: Maxlite www.maxlite.com

In this episode, Ryan Krueger, Energy Efficiency Manager at EnerChange, shares insights on lighting controls, rebates, and energy optimization. With funding from utilities and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, he audits nonprofits at no cost to them in order to cut building energy costs. Ryan breaks down how utilities structure rebates, the rise of luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLC), and why controls are the next big step in energy efficiency. Whether you're working on retrofits or new construction, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how lighting controls can maximize energy savings!  Ryan is the Energy Efficiency Manager for EnerChange. They are funded by Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and the Minnesota Department to provide no cost energy audits for non profits in these service territories. Prior to EnerChange, Ryan spent 4 years in outside lighting sales for Premier Lighting. During his time at Premier Lighting, he went through NAILD's LS1, LS2, LS-C. LS-C was the first iteration of lighting controls in 2020 which has now been revamped and reintroduce by Ron and Webster. Prior to that he spent 3 years managing another ESCO program doing lighting direct installs. So, it's always been lightbulbs for Ryan. 

Specializing in high-end residential and hospitality lighting design, Andy Bull shares insights on lighting controls, automation, and scene-based design—exploring how smart systems can enhance daily life. From residential vs. commercial lighting to educating clients on intuitive controls, this episode sheds light on optimizing spaces for function and aesthetics.  Andy Bull is a lighting designer, controls specialist, and rally co-driver. Based in Dublin, Ireland, Andy leads two lighting-focused businesses—his own company, Lighting Audio Video Projects, and Eclipse Lighting Design, a collaborative studio he co-founded with Scottish lighting designer Gordon Petrie. Across both, he delivers intuitive lighting and control systems for residential and select commercial projects across Ireland and the UK, and has done projects in Europe, and Africa.  Connect with Andy: www.linkedin.com/in/AndyBullLighting  Sponsor: MaxLite www.maxlite.com

In this engaging episode, Adrienne Jones, a seasoned professional with 26 years of experience in the lighting industry, takes center stage to share her wealth of knowledge. Here's what you can expect:

Like so many other lighting controls specialists, Adam originates from the theatrical lighting world, so he unabashedly loves DMX512. But don't call it "DMX," lest the DMX512 police arrest you. But seriously, Adam talks about DMX profiles, charts, HSI, and the importance of the manufacturers putting all of this information and more on the cut sheet. And remember, just because it's a DMX512 fixture doesn't mean it can be programmed the same as another DMX512 fixture. That's what profiles are for. Adam is an architectural lighting designer with a BA and MFA in Theatrical Lighting Design. With a foundation in stage lighting for plays, musicals, dance performances, fashion shows, and corporate events, Adam brings a dynamic, storytelling-driven approach to architectural lighting. Over the past decade, they have designed lighting and control systems for projects ranging from LAX terminals and the Seattle Aquarium to university buildings, Netflix production studio offices, and performing arts centers. Their expertise in both theatrical and architectural controls allows them to craft immersive, intuitive lighting environments that enhance user experience and bring client visions to life. In addition to design work, Adam collaborates with manufacturers to refine and evolve lighting control products for greater functionality and usability. They also hold two patents for architectural lighting accessories, further demonstrating their commitment to innovation in the field. Connect with Adam: firstcircledesign.com linkedin.com/in/adamrlevine Sponsor: MaxLite www.maxlite.com 

“I want one button that turns everything off when I leave.” For Chase, in the high-end residential world, that is often where the conversation with a homeowner begins, and that is where the lighting controls design begins. These aren't complicated multi-media building facades, but with the different expectation of what makes good lighting controls and good lighting design, communication with a homeowner is paramount.   Employed at TSP Smart Spaces, Chase was educated in IT, but is a home automation designer by nature. He has 18+ years in the business of IT, lighting control, AV, and security services. Chase takes every opportunity to explore and implement the right solution through collaboration and ultimate vision.  Connect with Chase: Instagram: this_wandering_bison linkedin.com/in/chase-michael-rowe-06045239 Website: tsp.space Sponsor: Dali Alliance dali-alliance.org

“Architainment”. You might hate the term, but Sam has embraced it as it perfectly describes what he does. Coming from the theatre world, and tiring of tech week and the cue-to-cue's, Sam moved into the 9 to 5(-ish) world of architectural lighting. He still holds onto that creative theatricality and applies it to theme parks, building facades, and bridges. But that doesn't mean the work headaches have gone away. Listen to his story about the Manhattan building project that started out great, but devolved into weeks of extra work when the contractor fell behind. Sam is the sole proprietor of At Full Lighting, a company that specializes in large-scale entertainment and architectural lighting installations. Before starting At Full Lighting, he held various positions in many different areas of the lighting industry. He's sailed the high seas as shipwide show control on cruise ships, spent ten months living in Dubai commissioning & programming a new amusement park, and has volunteered his time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival two years in a row. Sam has worked for various manufacturers and lighting integrators in the US and abroad, acting in various roles such as Project Manager, Service Technician, and Programmer. He has been an ETC Factory Certified Technician for twelve years and a member of their Advanced Programmers Group for the last eleven. He is also a certified trainer for ETC's Eos line of consoles. He received a BFA in Theatrical Lighting Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Sam has been based out of New York for the past thirteen years.

Every once in a while we get guests who worry that they won't have something to say on the podcast. Yoelit Hiebert, an electrical engineer who worked on the Tomahawk weapons system, has plenty to say and it's worth listening to. Working on something as complicated as a self guided missile, documentation is vital. While we're not going to accidentally blow something up with lighting controls, Yoelit argues that documentation will save time, money, and headaches. Yoelit has been working in the LED lighting industry for nearly twenty years and currently serves as both the Quality Manager and R&D lead at PLC Multipoint. Yoelit really likes solving problems and her work gives her plenty of opportunities to do just that in the complex and rapidly changing world of lighting control. Yoelit Hiebert has both a B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering.  She is a Professional Engineer and Lighting Certified.  Yoelit is active in industry standards development and serves as the Vice-Chair for the IES Lighting Control Systems Committee.  Yoelit also serves as Vice-Chair on the Lighting Controls Association Board. Although a St. Louis native, Yoelit has spent the last five years living and working in Connecticut.Connect with Yoelit: plcmultipoint.com www.linkedin.com/in/yoelit-h-hiebert-pe-lc-2b47034  Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us  

Chris joins Webster and Ron to talk about the NAILD Lighting Specialist in Controls certification program. On this one, they are all three guests, because they are all three instructors for the program. If you've been wavering about registering, this podcast can help you decide if it's for you. Webster is taking on the Specialist track, Ron the Distribution track, and Chris the Installation track. If you've been thinking of incorporating controls into your sales, give this a listen. Son of the founder of O'Shea Electric, Chris comes by this industry honestly. Finding his interest in theatrical lighting, he worked for, among others, Strand Lighting, Thea Enterprises representing Lutron, Chelsea Lighting, and most recently at PG Elite Lighting Service as Manager of Sales and Marketing. As Chris O'Shea Theatrical Lighting Design from 1996-2018, he has been a designer, stage tech, and board-operator for over 180 productions from the local church to Carnegie Hall. He is now the Head of Marketing and Business Development for Control Force. Connect with Chris: www.controlforce.com Financially supported by NAILD (www.naild.org) Presented by The Lighting Controls Association (lightingcontrolsassociation.org) 

Lighting controls are all about communication—between systems, between disciplines, and between people. But where do the lines of communication break down? Can you separate controls from lights? What is an integrator, and what does a bad one look like? When is the ideal time to bring an integrator into a project? Along with Sara, we dive into these questions and explore topics like tape light, scope gap, egress lighting, and the importance of effective communication in project success. Plus, Sara shares how you can become a member of WILD (Women In Lighting and Design). Sara Schonour, LC, IALD, MIES (Pronouns She/Her) blends engineering, illumination, education, entertainment, and entrepreneurship fluidly as a consultant in her favorite industries. She spent 16 years at world-renowned architecture firm CannonDesign, building and leading their award-winning Lighting Studio. She then joined the Lytei team as VP of Education and Community Engagement. Now, as the founder of her consulting firm, Luxsi, Sara continues to help shape the lighting landscape. She is deeply engaged in the lighting world, serves on multiple industry and advisory boards, and acts as an enthusiastic ambassador to the broader design community and beyond. Sara speaks regularly at events, on podcasts, in classrooms, and at conferences on various topics surrounding light and life. You can see Sara in action on Netflix's hit show, Baking Impossible! Connect with Sara: www.luxsi.org IG - saraschonour LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/sara-schonour-14856a5 Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us 

This one's a bit different. Ron plays host to Michael Colligan AND Webster as they discuss the new NAILD Lighting Specialist in Controls training and certification program (naild.org/ls-c). Webster explains the “who, what, when, and where,” while Michael gives us the “why” from his perspective as a lighting distributor. This is about additional revenue for distributors and ensuring their teams have a basic understanding of lighting controls. Michael Colligan owns a lighting distribution business in Toronto, Canada. He is also the co-host and creator of the Get a Grip on Lighting podcast (getagriponlighting.com) and the Restoring Darkness Podcast (restoringdarkness.com), and the co-creator of the Lighting Controls Podcast. Register for the NAILD Lighting Specialist in Controls training and certification program here: naild.org/ls-c. Connect with Michael: linkedin.com/in/michael-colligan-64380016 Financially supported by NAILD (www.naild.org) Presented by The Lighting Controls Association (lightingcontrolsassociation.org) 

Chris comes to us from NEEA, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Energy savings from LED‘s is pretty much tapped out. Chris explains how utilities are now looking at lighting controls as the next evolution in conserving energy, and how they reach their goals. He enlightens us on how switching the time out on an occupancy sensor from 7 to 5 minutes can make all the difference in reaching the savings target. And please, if there's a projector in the room, don't place the occupancy sensor too close to it. Spoiler alert: the sensor sees hot air movement. For over 25 years Chris Wolgamott has worked in the utility business in the Pacific Northwest, as a program manager, energy efficiency engineer and product manager. Mr. Wolgamott is recognized as a subject matter expert (SME) for LLLC (Luminaire Level Lighting Controls). He works extensively with lighting manufacturers on where the future of lighting and controls are headed. His work in the utility business has allowed him to gain vast knowledge on how incentive programs are developed and run. As the Senior Product Manager for Commercial, Residential Lighting and Commercial Efficient Rooftop Units (eRTU) with NEEA, Chris works with manufacturers on increasing the efficiency of lighting, lighting controls and natural gas rooftop units. Chris leads all emerging tech research on lighting products to support transformation of the commercial and residential lighting markets. Chris is the SME for the natural gas Efficient Rooftop Unit program and High Performance HVAC program, working with industry to transform the commercial HVAC market. Chris started his energy efficiency career at NW Natural Gas Co. working with residential and commercial customers to find ways to more efficiently use natural gas. After 6 years in the natural gas industry he decided to switch and went to work for Eugene Water & Electric Board, a local public utility. Chris worked with the commercial energy efficiency department to promote electric conservation. It was during this time that he found his passion for lighting. 7 years later he moved to Portland OR to work as a contractor for Bonneville Power Administration. During his 3 years at BPA Chris was the commercial lighting energy efficiency engineer for the Energy Efficiency department. His time as the lighting engineer was spent working with the utilities of the Northwest to promote high quality and efficient lighting. 

Lyn is back earning her 3-times jacket! Lyn starts with the statement that nobody knows what they're doing and we go from there. Lyn talks about the reason to use the term "commissioning provider" rather than agent or authority (Check out her blog post on the subject: https://kw-engineering.com/commissioning-titles-agent-authority-provider-one-right/). Which makes sense seeing as she is now the President of the Building Commissioning Association. If the MEP thing doesn't work out, we feel confident she could be pretty successful in stand-up comedy. Lyn is an MEP Coordinator for DPR Construction. She uses her 25 years of experience to start up and build quality into integrated systems for HVAC, electrical/lighting, control systems, fire protection, backup power, and technology. In her spare time (lol), she's the chair for the update to ANSI/IES LP-8 (the standard for lighting/controls commissioning) and is President of the Building Commissioning Association. With Rick Miller, she created the framework for the new standard on control sequences for lighting control systems (LP-16) and was vice-chair. She also teaches classes on lighting controls and supports Techbridge, an afterschool STEM program.

Recent changes from the IALD suggest that lighting designers can have their own controls teams. While this approach may work in some cases, Bryan raises some important considerations. Through our discussions on over 80 episodes of The Lighting Controls Podcast, we've explored the complexities and challenges that come with lighting control systems. Each project has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't always lead to the best outcomes. Bryan has observed instances where control designs have been replicated across projects in ways that didn't align with the specific requirements. His perspective is that leveraging dedicated lighting controls professionals can help ensure systems are designed and implemented effectively. Bryan Lussier, currently the Lead Controls Systems Specialist at Apex Lighting Solutions, has over 20 years of experience in the lighting industry. As an entertainment and architectural lighting professional, he has worked with various distributors, manufacturers, and specifiers in different roles. Bryan is an award-winning theatrical lighting designer, a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and has served as the master electrician for national tours and facilities. In architecture, he holds the Licensed Controls (LC) and Certified Lighting Control Professional (CLCP) certifications and is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Additionally, he is the President of the Designers Lighting Forum of New England (DLFNE) and is currently very busy planning Boston Lights 2025 in October. Bryan's expertise extends beyond these achievements. He has a pending patent for a Light Emitting Diode (LED) Sports Lighting Luminaire Assembly, which provides a comprehensive guide on optimizing the application of LED lighting sources in sports lighting scenarios. Connect with Bryan: linkedin.com/in/bslussier https://www.apexlightingsolutions.com/ https://twitter.com/bslussier https://www.facebook.com/ApexLightingSolutions https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-lighting-solutions/ https://www.instagram.com/apexlighting_apexbuilding Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us  

Dan joins us from Lam Partners Architectural Lighting where they are “crafting luminous environments for people to spend their lives in.” That luminous environment requires lights, obviously, but also controls. That being said, Dan points out that the most successful projects are ones that have simple user interfaces. As Ron says, “You can have the most complicated control system on the back end, but if that end user experience isn't simple and easy, people just get confused.” But even the simplest design needs coordination and communication between the architect, engineer, and lighting and controls designers–A Team Effort. Dan Weissman, AIA, IALD, IES is an award-winning Architectural Lighting Designer, researcher, and craftsman specializing in sustainable design and digital technologies. As Associate Principal and Director of Lam Labs at Lam Partners, he collaborates on innovative projects and engages with leading academics to advance the field. Dan serves as Chair of the IES Daylighting Committee, is an active member of the IES Sustainable Design committee and Solemma's Climate Studio Product Advisory Group, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Flint Collective. He periodically teaches at Harvard Graduate School of Design, and is a frequent guest lecturer nationally and internationally. An avid musician and amateur luthier of mandolin-family instruments, Dan also tends a garden, and two children along with his artist wife Lanie, and bakes two sourdough loaves a week. 

Parker comes to us from the Edison Report. He gives Webster and Ron a 30,000 foot view of the lighting controls industry. Looking in from the outside, Parker touches on the retrofit world, manufacturer reps, the national electrical grid, and even cryptocurrency. Parker Allen serves as a Manager at EdisonReport, a news website and media network dedicated to covering the lighting industry. He is a content editor and staff writer for designing lighting (dl) magazine, as well as the assistant editor of Lighting Management and Maintenance (LM&M) magazine, published by EdisonReport on behalf of NALMCO. Allen just celebrated his third anniversary at EdisonReport. In a former life, he worked at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, conducting research into the aging process, specifically the role that insulin signaling played in promoting or delaying aging. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2014. He is an avid Vols fan (despite his better judgement) and enjoys life in Nashville with his fiancée and 5 cats. 

Avi's back! And he speaks his mind. Avi contends that the lighting designer should also design the controls. As he says, “If I pick what that thing is, then I gotta figure out how to turn it on and off.” Avi says that it also includes “Liminaire Number One,” by which he means the Sun. Yes, automated shades should also come under the purview of the lighting designer. Oh and yes, for Avi, DALI is “da bomb.” Founding Principal, Avraham “Avi” M. Mor has been practicing lighting design for over 20 years. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a BFA in Theater Design with an emphasis in Architectural and Theatrical Lighting Design, he moved back to his hometown of Chicago to further his craft. Avi has grown his business from a small operation with only a handful of clients to a bustling firm with projects of all sizes located around the nation. Connect with Avi: https://www.facebook.com/Avmister https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/ Morlights - https://www.facebook.com/Morlights/ https://www.instagram.com/morlightsdesign/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/morlights/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94SRUUcmQ0cXSvCBk7mbpA

Umesh shares with us the latest at MaxLite. They haven't always been in lighting controls. But from their beginnings in architectural lighting, they have evolved and are even setting the pace with lighting controls, especially with their unique use of USB-C connectors. Be aware that USB-C, in this application, is there to simplify the connection process, not to charge your phone. Umesh is a SVP of Product and Engineering at MaxLite and leads a cross-functional team to develop and bring new product ideas and technologies to help MaxLite grow in the C&I space. Umesh brings more than 20 years of cross-industry experience in product and business improvement. He has held progressively senior leadership positions in product management, engineering and corporate development across diverse organizations ranging from high-tech manufacturing corporations, to Wall Street to Fortune 5 companies like Amazon. His lighting career began with Philips overseeing the downlight and track portfolio for the Americas and of late he has been busy creating the c-Max Lighting controls portfolio for MaxLite. He is an engineer by trade and also has an MBA. Connect with Umesh: www.maxlite.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/about/team/Umesh_Baheti.jpg www.linkedin.com/in/umeshsbaheti www.maxlite.com www.maxlite.com/cmax 

Nathan has been digging into the National Electrical Code. He stresses the importance of verbiage in codes. A word as simple as “all” can have an enormous impact on interpretation. For example, Webster and Ron discuss with Nathan a weird transition in Texas electrical and mechanical rooms from using occupancy sensors to timer switches and how, if you are a worker in that room and you aren't familiar with the system when the lights go out, you won't know what the heck is going on. Listen to this thought provoking episode to hear more! Nathan Williams is a lighting controls field service engineer with over 16 years of controls experience. Throughout his career, he has held certifications with 11 different lighting controls manufacturers, and he also holds NALMCO's CLCP and CSLT certifications along with Tridium's Niagara AX certification. Nathan is the senior field service engineer at CW Lighting, a lighting fixtures and controls manufacturers' rep firm that has been in the industry for 40 years. Nathan entered the lighting industry at 20, building upon his background in technical theater. He has earned a reputation for attention to detail, troubleshooting expertise, and excellent customer service, and he currently serves on the Wattstopper technician advisory council. He lives in Spring, TX with his wife and their two cats, and in his spare time, he chairs his neighborhood Architectural Review Committee, enjoys fine tuning his home automation, and is always looking forward to his next Caribbean cruise. 

Marissa comes to us from Tondo Smart. “Smart” is in their name because they are on a quest to bring smart controls to roadways and outdoor areas. That is, possibly, the next frontier in lighting. We've saved as much energy as we can with LED's, now it's time to take the next step with controls. Marissa tells us about Tondo's leadership in integrating sensors, energy meters, cameras, and controls for connecting critical infrastructure. Marissa Wright is the Chief Revenue Officer at Tondo Smart, where she leads Tondo's U.S. and Canadian market expansion. Marissa has over 40 years of experience in the technology sector, business advisory services, and financing early-stage startups, and she's the driving force behind Tondo's expansion into the U.S. market, bringing cities next-generation lighting and critical infrastructure management solutions. Marissa is based in Vancouver, Canada, and holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University. Her career has included founding and managing over a dozen early-stage companies, focusing on market strategy, business development, and project leadership for high-growth technology firms. At Tondo, Marissa developed the company's market strategy and also designed the company's new adaptive roadway lighting control solution. Join us as Marissa shares her insights on the rapidly evolving world of smart roadway lighting controls, the impact of adaptive roadway lighting on lighting safety and energy efficiency, the importance of cybersecurity for managing critical infrastructure, and her vision for making Smart Cities a reality. 

Dr. James joins us from across the pond. Dr. James strives to “build bridges between end users and lighting designers and specifiers and scientists and controls people.” She wanted to bring all these worlds together so much that she even learned to be an electrician. Her latest venture on the education front is a new podcast, “Thinking Differently About Lighting,” launching soon on the Get A Grip Network of podcasts. Dr Shelley James is an international expert on light and well-being, TEDx and keynote speaker, Author, WELL Advisor and Visiting Lecturer at the Royal College of Art. She is also a trained glass artist and electrician. Shelley is on a mission to inspire others to harness the power of the humble lightbulb to be healthier, happier and help to save the planet too. Clients include global lighting and technology brands and regulators, healthcare and education trusts, architects and designers, academic institutions and museums. A recent social media campaign to raise awareness of the impact of light on teens was translated into three languages and reached over 2.5 million people around the world. Her TEDx talk was the third-most watched in the world in the month following the launch. 

Shoshanna figures the U.S. is 30 years behind Europe in adopting interoperable lighting controls. She has a very interesting take on why that is. It all comes down to a market structure issue. It seems Europe has figured it out with DALI and the U.S. is still not coming together for the good of the industry. Becaus…, well…, “because capitalism.” Shoshanna Segal believes in the power of light to make the world a more equitable and accessible place. She uses both the artistic and scientific sides of her brain to illuminate the spaces where people live, work, and learn because this is the way she can effect change for the greatest number of people. Years of professional practice have taught her that lighting provides opportunities to realize synergies among technology, social interaction, and commerce. Ms. Segal practices creating these synergies as a Principal at Hartranft Lighting Studios. She is among the first professionals in the world to achieve the international certification CLD and is serving currently as president of the IES-NYC. Shanna firmly believes that all lighting professionals should drink bourbon (or at least brown liquor). 

If you are a distributor, a rep, a designer, or an electrician, you have dealt with lighting controls at some point. And they're growing in the marketplace. You're going to be dealing with them more and more. Now, you can meet a client, boost your credentials, and show proof that you have some expertise in the field because NAILD is offering a certification in lighting controls. The certification is endorsed by brands so that it's not just some letters next to your name, but assurance that you can design, distribute, or install their products. Want to know more? Check out https://naild.org/ls-c/ 

Yes, there is a market north of the border! The Toronto area is huge and deserves its own lighting show. Gaurav saw the opportunity and jumped on it all the way from India. With his company, MEX Exhibitions, he plans to “provide a platform for the lighting community to engage in meaningful dialogue and explore the future of smart lighting, LED technology, and design.” And he's getting help from The Lighting Agora's Tom Butters who is acting as the Knowledge Partner for the educational program. Spoiler alert - you'll also see our host, Webster Marsh there as a presenter! Gaurav Juneja, Director of MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. and MEX International Inc., is a pioneering leader in the B2B exhibition industry specifically for lighting industry, apart from many other Industry Verticals. He has played a transformative role in the industry, most notably through his leadership in launching major trade shows that have become flagship events in each sector. Gaurav was instrumental in the launch of LED Expo India in 2009, a ground breaking platform that introduced the Indian market to advanced LED technologies and solutions, helping accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient lighting across the country. Following its success, Gaurav spearheaded the expansion of the brand into Southeast Asia by establishing LED Expo Thailand in 2013, making it one of the largest and most influential lighting shows in the ASEAN region. Tom Butters, LC, is the creative mind and developer behind some of the most well received educational tools and events of the global lighting industry. Since 1986, Tom has worked in or served the entire array of the lighting industry. He uses this diverse background and empathy to understand the needs of the individual or organization to deliver high quality lighting education to suit the precise needs of the user. Tom is a proud board member of the Nuckolls' Fund for Lighting Education and an Emeritus Member of the IES. As the Senior Manager then Director of Canlyte/Philips Lighting Concept Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2016, Tom developed and delivered top level lighting education to thousands of attendees in all segments of the lighting industry. Tom was the co-developer, along with F.X. Morin, of the globally successful free lighting app “IES Ready Reference”. He is the creator of “Light for Life – a Global Collaboration 2020” which involved 17 webinars from 15 lighting organizations from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom was the director of the IES' free 4-hour live webinar “Germicidal Disinfection in the Days of COVID-19” which had over 3600 live attendees from 56 countries and has been viewed by thousands more as a free offering on the IES website. 

Javid and Robert are two guys who dive into the long, boring stuff of standards and protocols so you don't have to. Because of them, you will know which cables and wires to use for your DMX512 projects. You have the ANSI E1.27-2 Task Group to thank for setting the standards for “Permanently Installed Control Cables for Use with ANSI E1.11 (DMX512-A) and USITT DMX512/1990 Products.” Did you know that DMX512 needs a specific kind of cable? Well… now you know. Javid Butler is a lighting designer and energy engineer who holds LC, CEM, and CMVP certifications. He has contributed to the development of many lighting standards including RDM and sACN, and chaired the task group for E1.27 DMX512 cabling standards. He presently chairs the E1.68 DMX512 Compliance task group. In addition to lighting standards Javid enjoys teaching Fundamentals of Lighting. He also writes science fiction under the pen name David Pax. Robert Bell a Consulting Director for Product Market at Acuity Brands and oversees the development of the entire Pathway Connectivity product line. Robert has been awarded multiple US Patents for lighting controls and networking which have been assigned to Acuity Brands. In 1992, he won the first every Wally Russell Newcomer Award as the creator of WYSIWYG, the Emmy Award winning previsualization software. His is a regular contributor to entertainment lighting periodicals and is the author of the book Let There Be Light, Conversations with Lighting Pioneers. With roots in the Rock ‘n Roll touring world and broadcast Television during the 1990's, he spent the 2000's as a product manager for Strand Lighting and as brand ambassador for Vari*Lite. For the past 20 years, Robert has sat on ESTA's Control Protocol Working Group, the body that brought DMX, RDM and sACN forward as ANSI standards. 

Bruce “The Lighting Sherpa” is not a “lighting controls guy by definition, by pedigree or by training,” but he certainly sounds like one. He knows enough to warrant us bringing him back for a second appearance. He is a lighting designer, educator, consultant and coach. With Bruce, we discuss custom integration, future proofing, what HTA stands for, and the unholy communion lighting wafer. Bruce brings his passion, personality, and creativity to every encounter whether through clever design, consultation, or education. His experience as a critical team member launching an innovative and successful lighting design firm provides Bruce with the background to help others do similar. For the last 5 years, Bruce has devoted his professional energy to the emerging Custom Integration residential and resimercial markets. He has developed curriculum and delivered training content to A/V Integrators that helped them take the next step into designing their own lighting projects and provided immediate capacity to their projects by acting as a liaison and trusted advisor. Bruce has worked with lighting manufacturers who recognize the value and future potential of this market segment to enhance opportunities for the Custom Integrator. Bruce recognizes that light is the most significant way that architectural spaces are experienced, and that the lighting industry is undergoing a seismic shift towards a more technologically advanced method of delivering both light and design. He is committed to assisting Custom Integrators around the world present the benefits of better lighting and helping their customers understand the aesthetic, economic, energy, and health benefits. He respects the unique contributions all trade partners bring to a complex project and values collaboration to realize successful delivery. 

Everything you ever wanted to know about standardized lighting controls, but were afraid to ask. Paul is back to give us a preview of the DALI North America Summit, taking place October 30th at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York. You can expect an overview of DALI, a market update, a panel session, breakouts, and some technical training. And of course you get to geek out on lighting controls with your peers! Paul is a highly qualified and experienced management professional with more than 30 years' experience in the electronics and LED lighting industries. He has held a number of senior roles in management, sales, operations, business development and strategic marketing, at companies involved in electronics distribution, semiconductor manufacturing, precision optics manufacturing and management consulting. He is a Member of IEEE and AMBA, and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management. To register for the DALI North America Summit: www.dali-alliance.org Check out Paul's previous episode: https://www.lightingcontrolspodcast.com/episodes/episode-44-demystifying-dali-paul-drosihn 

Anthony has done a lot of installs in houses of worship. With their limited budgets, you want to get all your wiring right while the conduit is open and the drywall has yet to be done. And sometimes that means pressing your customer a little harder to get a more detailed and explicit Control Intent Narrative which will help you get it right the first time. Listen in and find out the intricacies of a niche lighting control project type! And sometimes that means pressing your customer a little harder and out of their comfort zone in order to get it right the first time. Anthony is a seasoned lighting designer with over a decade of experience in the industry. His career has seen him collaborate with leading technical brands, such as Luminex, to train, design, and consult on numerous projects within the house of worship, theater, and entertainment markets. As a Lighting Designer in Orlando, FL, Anthony has played a pivotal role in designing, programming, and managing sophisticated lighting systems and designs. Here, Anthony also honed his networking skills in an AVL (Audio, Visual, Lighting) environment, where he excelled in designing, programming, and training individuals to operate, configure, and confidently use their systems. In addition to his hands-on industry experience, Anthony has dedicated time to education by staying active in his local industry market as well as teaching in his local colleges. In this role, he imparts his extensive knowledge of entertainment and stage production to the next generation of industry professionals. Outside of work Anthony enjoys travel to the nation's national parks, hiking, and cycling his way through the beautiful outdoors! Anthony's blend of practical experience and passion for teaching positions him as a valuable asset in any lighting design project, whether it be in a house of worship, a theater, or a grand entertainment venue.

Bill Ellis is back with his wealth of knowledge. Bill gives us his perspective on what's trending and shifting in the Lighting Controls industry. Digital controls, 0-10V Analog, POE, ethernet, the advantages of DC power, DMX, DALI, 2023 NEC class 4 power…Bill brings us up to date. Bill Ellis is an industry expert in lighting systems integration and is very proud of Candela Controls Inc.'s enduring history. He is a member of IESNA, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and sits on its Theatre, Television and Film Advisory Committee and Museum Lighting Committee. Bill is also a member of Control Protocols Workgroup for ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association. He is a Certified Low-Voltage Systems Specialty Contractor in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island. 

Want to be a part of ESTA's Control Protocols Working Group, at least temporarily? Then get you, your ideas, and your lighting controls down to the Dallas Fort Worth Marriott Solana from October 24-27 and “plug in.” While there, you can meet our guest, Milton Davis, and find out the latest on ANSI, TSP, the CPWG, DMX 512, and of course, ESTA. And while you are there you can see the area by taking a WALK. Milton Davis has been involved in the entertainment lighting industry for over 45 years. During that time, he has served as a lighting designer, stage electrician, field service engineer, product developer, software engineer, hardware engineer, and advocate for the DMX512 protocol. He was part of the ESTA task group which formalized the DMX512-A standard making it an ANSI national standard. Mr. Davis has been an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and Recognized Trainer for over 15 years. During that time, he has led many classes and seminars addressing a wide variety of lighting professionals from all skill levels. Covered topics relate to all lighting control protocols and general practices related to theaters, theme parks, houses of worship, convention centers, and any other location where lighting control is critical to presentations and general operation. He is currently the co-chair for ESTA's Control Protocols Working Group and is a member of a number of that group's task groups working on new standards. Milton works for Doug Fleenor Design, Inc. where he designs products and provides technical support to customers. 

“Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…!” Yes the people at Control Force are like Supermen or Wonder Women. After the sales rep has sold the equipment, and the installers have finished, and all those people have moved onto the next project, Control Force can sweep in, finish the startup, clean up the system, get it working as originally conceived and be there for the long term maintenance. Son of the founder of O'Shea Electric, Chris comes by this industry honestly. Finding his interest in theatrical lighting, he worked for, among others, Strand Lighting, Thea Enterprises representing Lutron, Chelsea Lighting, and most recently at PG Elite Lighting Service as Manager of Sales and Marketing. As Chris O'Shea Theatrical Lighting Design from 1996-2018, he has been a designer, stage tech, and board-operator for over 180 productions from the local church to Carnegie Hall. He is now the Head of Marketing and Business Development for Control Force. 

When Jose is not filming documentaries, he's a “Solutions Engineer.” If you're in the northeast, Jose can go into a space and audit ASHRAE levels 1, 2 and 3. He can help you comply with local energy saving ordinances by identifying fluorescents or halogens or opportunities for natural light. Then he'll come back with a plan to give you the same level of light, using LED's, controls and fenestration.Jose is a 48 year old New York City Native (Dominican Republic descent) raised in Miami, FL. He is a filmmaker/documentarian by night and a solutions engineer and lighting expert by day. 

Get ready for an exciting deep dive with Ron and Webster as they tackle the confusing world of lighting controls definitions! In this episode, our hosts break down the inconsistencies in industry jargon, share their own takes, and explore how communication can go haywire when jumping between niches. But don't worry, there may be a solution: The Lighting Controls Forum! Tune in to this guest-free episode and see if you're on the same wavelength as Ron and Webster. 

Bruce “The Lighting Sherpa” Clark talks with Webster and Ron about CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association), dealers, buying groups, reps, and lighting designers. Bruce likes his analogies. He talks about “trunk slammers,” “The Golden Goose,” “Pacman” and “Zelda,” and of course “lights as paint brushes.” It'll all make sense when you listen to this episode. Bruce brings his passion, personality and creativity to every encounter whether through clever design, consultation or education. His experience as a critical team member launching an innovative and successful lighting design firm provides Bruce with the background to help others do similar. For the last 5 years, Bruce has devoted his professional energy to the emerging Custom Integration residential and resimercial markets. He has developed curriculum and delivered training content to A/V Integrators that helped them take the next step into designing their own lighting projects and provided immediate capacity to their projects by acting as a liaison and trusted advisor. Bruce has worked with lighting manufacturers who recognize the value and future potential of this market segment to enhance opportunities for the Custom Integrator. Bruce recognizes that light is the most significant way that architectural spaces are experienced, and that the lighting industry is undergoing a seismic shift towards a more technologically advanced method of delivering both light and design. He is committed to assisting Custom Integrators around the world present the benefits of better lighting and helping their customers understand the aesthetic, economic, energy and health benefits. He respects the unique contributions all trade partners bring to a complex project and values collaboration to realize successful delivery. 

In this LCP Short, Webster and Ron talk about handling simple DMX512 and sACN presets that you don't need to actively control and don't want to buy a whole architectural processor for. They discuss the recent advent of small, inexpensive preset scene controllers, like the ETC Snapback. These devices not only reduce the cost of a lighting controls setup, but it also makes the control easier for the end user - otherwise known as the CUSTOMER! 

Getting connected is what mwConnect (formerly McWong) specializes in with their award winning Bluetooth Mesh. They've been around for 40 years, so you know they know what they're doing. Margaret and Stephen give us a retrospective of the company from its beginnings manufacturing ballasts, and they tell us about their rebranding process. If you're in competition with mwConnect, they welcome it as it drives manufacturers to create and produce better products and offer more affordable price points. Let's work together and make the pie bigger! Margaret founded mwConnect as McWong International, Inc. in 1984. She brings over 25 years of lighting experience from manufacturing and procurement to technology development; including light sources, luminaires, LED drivers, sensors, wireless control systems, etc. For many years, Margaret has demonstrated the leadership and vision to both predict and actively drive profound changes enabled by LED semiconducting, IOT and smart lighting solutions. Her cross-border and financial investment experience has brought together many opportunities and deals between the US and Asia in the lighting industry and beyond. Stephen manages product development and business operations as well as strategic partner relationships. Prior to this role, he worked for the company in a number of roles, including project manager, product manager and sales manager. Zhou holds an MBA from the Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University and a B.S. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. He is an IES member and is fluent in English and Chinese. 

Just one away from his 5 times guest jacket, Steve Mesh joins us to discuss… education, semantics, UL924, emergency controls, security, and in-rush. You already know Steve knows his stuff and he'll always open your eyes to something. Listen to his interesting perspective on emergency vs life saving controls. Steve has been a lighting designer and educator for 43 years. He was the Senior Lighting Program Coordinator at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco from 2008-2011. Steve is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and was the IES/Northeast Regional Vice President. He was also part of the development team for the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program. Steve has taught lighting for 38 years. He won an IALD award for the Palm House at Dowling College and an EPRI award for Brower Commons at Rutgers University. Since 1992, he has given several workshops at LightFair and has spoken at Lux Pacifica in New Delhi, India. He is also a private pilot. Connect with Steve: www.linkedin.com/in/steven-mesh-lc-iesna-b156b83 lightingcontrolsassociation.org/?s=%22Steve+Mesh%22 Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.com

The listeners give feedback to hosts Ron and Webster to clarify some things that were unclear or confusing in episode 53 "It's Not a Protocol." In this short episode, past guests Mitch Hefter and Javid Butler discuss the definition of a protocol in our industry vs. the OSI definition of a protocol, what did and did not get revised regarding emergency lighting control, and what the basic requirements are for emergency lighting control. No need to listen to episode 53 to listen to this shorty! Mitch Hefter has been working in lighting controls for over 40 years. He has played a major role in setting entertainment technology standards, promoting electrical safety and developing certification for entertainment industry electricians, and is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and Recognized Trainer. He is a founding member of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) Technical Standards Program (ANSI E1) and co‑chairs the Electrical Power Working Group. Mitch was instrumental in the development of USITT DMX512 in 1986 and chairs the ESTA E1.11 USITT DMX515‑A Task Group. Javid Butler is a lighting designer and energy engineer who holds LC, CEM, and CMVP certifications. He has contributed to the development of many lighting standards including RDM and sACN, and chaired the task group for E1.27 DMX512 cabling standards. He presently chairs the E1.68 DMX512 Compliance task group. In addition to lighting standards Javid enjoys teaching Fundamentals of Lighting. He also writes science fiction under the pen name David Pax. Links mentioned: - Spring 2024 Protocol articles: https://www.esta.org/ Click on the ‘Protocol' pane | click on ‘Read Protocol Online' or go to the ‘Read the Archive' button. - Articles on DMX512 Update and E1.68 are pages 20 & 29 respectively. ESTA standards can be downloaded for free from the ‘Technical Standards Program' pane. - National Electrical Code: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70-standard-development/70 - Lighting Controls Association article: Egress and Emergency Lighting in a Controls World https://lightingcontrolsassociation.org/2023/05/24/egress-and-emergency-lighting-in-a-controls-world/ 

The LED revolution has done its part in the energy saving space. Now it's going to fall on the Controls industry to take it to the next level. You can tell people to just turn off their lights when no one is in the room, but we all know humans and human nature makes that a challenge. So it's up to us, the controls specialists. But… sometimes it's up to the end user. Listen to David's story about a major university during the pandemic shut down. And wait till you see his Zippo lighter! After getting his start in high school running lights for a Sinatra impersonator in the back room of a Chinese restaurant in beautiful Burbank California, David Fox worked in California as a field service technician, production electrician, house electrician, console programmer, lighting designer, and monitor engineer for  several theatres, live concert venues, feature films, and television productions. For the last 25 years, David has been at ETC starting providing frontline phone support. He then transitioned to managing technical support and customer service departments. Currently he works in the education center as the LMS Administrator and instructional designer developing training programs and presenting live and online classes. Since his start in the industry David has been passionate about learning and education believing that what we do is a craft and as such we all have a responsibility to pass along what we know to those who follow us. When not at work, he tries to do as little as possible and generally fails at it.

This one covers a lot of ground. Avi Mor, Founder and CEO of Morlights, a design firm in Chicago, speaks his mind on interoperability, protocols, dimming, CAT5, Dali, specifications, and… elevators. Using elevators as an analogy, Avi would like to see open protocols for controlling luminaires allowing designers to replace fixtures rather than ripping out the controls system.  Founding Principal, Avraham “Avi” M. Mor has been practicing lighting design for over 20 years. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a BFA in Theater Design with an emphasis in Architectural and Theatrical Lighting Design, he moved back to his hometown of Chicago to further his craft. Avi has grown his business from a small operation with only a handful of clients to a bustling firm with projects of all sizes located around the nation. Connect with Avi: https://www.facebook.com/Avmister https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/ Morlights - https://www.facebook.com/Morlights/ https://www.instagram.com/morlightsdesign/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/morlights/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94SRUUcmQ0cXSvCBk7mbpA Sponsor: mwConnect www.mwconnect.us 

Daniel works for one of the big guys. As Global Hardware Product Manager at Philips Dynalite, he has the resources to really make a difference. Daniel tells us about the evolution from contact closures to devices in a network having mini computers in them. You're still pressing a button, but a microprocessor is interpreting those button presses. Daniel joined us from Australia. Luckily, he was free at 5 am on a Saturday morning. Daniel Walker has worked at Philips Dynalite for the past 23 years. Originally seeking a position within the electrical engineering team, Daniel soon found his stride in technical sales. Having spent many years consulting on projects all over the world, across a wide variety of segments from office to industry, retail, hospitality, and everything in between, Daniel developed a keen sense for best lighting control application practices. He stepped into his current position as Global Hardware Product Manager ten years ago, and now spends his days working closely with the market to understand and anticipate changes in customer preference, regulatory requirements, and industry trends. Daniel then conveys this insight to Philips Dynalite's R&D team, giving them tangible product development targets to ensure every product exceeds customer expectations. Daniel also plays an active role in bringing those products to market for launch and providing ongoing support. 

How do we maintain our lighting control systems? We've said it before and Kelly says it again. Education! - and interoperability, but we're not there yet - so, education! The facilities manager who leaves that job 5 years down the road is then replaced by a new facilities manager who doesn't know the system and doesn't know who to contact. Now the lighting doesn't perform as it should and the company that installed it receives complaints. Nobody wins. Listen to this episode and learn how sales reps can help your projects from the very beginning to long after the building is occupied. Kelly is in the DC metro area, living 45 minutes south of DC in a rural town on the Patuxent River with his wife and 2 toddlers. His career started as an IBEW Local 26 Electrician, where he spent a few years installing lighting controls. The draw for him was seeing the end-product of a project and seeing everything go from inoperable to working. He followed this over to Lutron as a field service tech performing startups and servicing systems for their commercial division. He was pulled by his best friend over to Chesapeake Lighting, when they needed an outside specification salesperson for lighting controls. He primarily calls on engineers and lighting designers, but sways in the balance of supporting the inside team, distributors, contractors, and end-users. 

Lightovation. Lightapalooza. LEDucation. These conferences have different perspectives and roles within the lighting industry, but they all contribute to shaping the future of lighting and controls. These are only three of MANY lighting conventions, but they are a good start if you want a well rounded education. https://lightapalooza.com/ https://dallasmarketcenter.com/markets/lightovation https://leducation.org/ Financially supported by NAILD (www.naild.org) Presented by The Lighting Controls Association (lightingcontrolsassociation.org) 

A market transformation for lighting controls is coming whether we are ready or not. Carol contends we've seen market transformation before, several times, but there are growing expectations for interoperability in the construction industry and lighting needs to be in on the conversation. If lighting professionals don't step up and leave their silo, other trades or groups may take over, forever changing the landscape of lighting and lighting controls. In this episode, find out how DALI can help you be a part of the Interoperability conversation! Carol is a 35-year veteran of the lighting industry, with a diverse background as a lighting specifier, a ‘labbie' at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Carol has been involved in more than 15 industry leadership and support roles over the years and has 40-plus presentations as well as 20 publications under her belt. She credits her ability to achieve consensus and market transformation to having 5 planets in the house of Virgo and starting her career in Theatrical Lighting and Production Management. 

Thomas works at Color Kinetics. With a name like that, they obviously deal with color changing lighting, which also means they have to deal with lighting controls, and that has led to the cloud. Thomas explains that many people ask for the cloud solution. Why drive to the office to change the color on the outside of the building when you can just do it from home? Tom Barber joined Color Kinetics in early 2006, working in various roles spanning OEM applications, product management, and most recently product marketing for New England and Eastern US. Connect with Thomas: www.colorkinetics.com https://twitter.com/ColorKinetics https://www.youtube.com/user/PhilipsColorKinetics https://www.linkedin.com/company/color-kinetics https://www.instagram.com/colorkinetics/ 

Jason joins us from the DLC. What is the DLC? In Jason's words, the Design Lights Consortium is “a bridge between the lighting world and the energy efficiency world.” The LED revolution for energy savings is pretty much over, so what's the next step? Lighting controls, naturally. The DLC just published an impact report on the use of LED's over the last 10 years. Jason wants you to know that he misquoted the impact number as one hundred megawatt hours, when it is actually more like ONE THOUSAND TERAWATT hours. Imagine how much more we can save by adding lighting controls! Jason is a Technical Manager at the DLC with 25 years of lighting industry experience, most recently as director of lighting at a sales agency focused on the distributor and contractor markets. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Lighting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Architectural Lighting from Parsons The New School for Design, Jason spent 20 years as an architectural and theatrical lighting designer in New York City, focusing on lighting controls. He is Lighting Certified and a member of the IES Chicago chapter. 

Want to learn about lighting controls technology and applications? The Lighting Controls Association is offering that FOR FREE! Go to https://aboutlightingcontrols.org/EducationExpress. But, before you do, check out this episode with Craig DiLouie, Education Director at the association. Craig explains that the LCA has educated up to 46,000 students with over a million learning hours. Jump in and get some letters behind your name. Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP is a journalist and educator in the lighting industry and serves as education director for the Lighting Controls Association, a council of NEMA dedicated to educating the public about lighting control technology and application. He is also lighting columnist for tED Magazine and Electrical Contractor. 

Peter explains that Casambi chooses to partner with hardware companies (like McWong who happens to be sponsoring this episode), so that they can focus on software. That has resulted in sophisticated controls that can handle DMX, DALI, 0-10V, PWM, reverse phase etc. And they're big time into wireless. Entering the North American market from Sweden during the pandemic, Casambi has flourished. Contact Peter for your next project and you could have YOUR cake and eat it too. Prior to his 20 year career of leading teams and driving revenue in the lighting manufacturing and controls industry, Peter worked in software. It was this distinctive blend of experiences that fueled his passion for harnessing technology for innovative problem-solving—a passion he now brings to Casambi. 

Do you own a bowling alley? Bill will integrate strikes with lights! Hit the jackpot at a casino? Bill can make sure everyone in the building knows. Bill's definition of an integrator is “the glue that puts the pieces together.” This kind of integrator isn't needed on every project, but Bill and Candela Controls have found a niche pulling together the lighting designer, the electrical engineer, and the manufacturer on complex projects. Bill Ellis is an industry expert in lighting systems integration and is very proud of Candela Controls Inc.'s enduring history. He is a member of IESNA, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and sits on its Theatre, Television and Film Advisory Committee and Museum Lighting Committee. Bill is also a member of Control Protocols Workgroup for ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association. He is a Certified Low-Voltage Systems Specialty Contractor in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island.