Tony Wang Inducted Into Lighting Hall of Fame
The founder of WAC Group was selected for this year’s honor, which was bestowed during the American Lighting Association Conference in Tucson.
In introducing Tony Wang before the Lighting Hall of Fame ceremony, Jon Melchi, president of ALA, noted, “When you think about the great companies in this industry and about the sacrifice and dedication, and the innovation that it takes to have a record and a legacy like Tony has, it’s something that should be celebrated and honored. About a month ago, I had the privilege of going to [WAC] headquarters and visiting with their team. What struck me was how enthusiastic all of their employees were about the work they do, the people they work with, and how excited they were for Tony’s honor tonight. I also want to thank everyone at the WAC Group for being a great member of ALA. Becky Li has served on our finance committee, Alex Ostrovsky has been a part of our ceiling fan manual [effort] and I routinely talk with members of the [WAC] team throughout the year to help make our industry better. It is an absolute pleasure for me to be here tonight to celebrate Tony.”
Becky Li, president of WAC Group, stated, “Being here [at ALA Conference] gives us a chance to step away from our day-to-day to be present. To get inspired and to learn and connect and to have meaningful conversations about the economy, the industry and the challenges ahead and how we can collaborate and move forward together. That’s what makes ALA so special. It gives us the platform to come together, exchange ideas and, most importantly, to show up for one another. That sense of community is something worth celebrating.”
She added, “Tonight, we celebrate someone who is very special to me, and to so many people in this room. After more than 30 years of working alongside him, and occasionally trying to keep up with him, I can say that he has an extraordinary influence on me personally. He’s a man of integrity and vision, but also tremendous kindness and generosity. He has always believed in thinking bigger, moving forward, and never settling for good enough. And if you know him, you know good enough is probably never an option. He has always challenged us to look ahead, to think beyond today, to keep innovating, to keep improving, and to build something meaningful for our employees for our industry and for the future.”
Next to the stage was Thomas Wang, Tony’s and Tai’s son, who began with a childhood anecdote. “When I was in the fourth grade, we had to give a presentation in front of the whole class about what our parents did for work. My classmates were telling stories about their fathers being firefighters or mothers who were heart surgeons. And when it came to me, I was feeling pretty deflated and couldn’t help feel the comparison in the lack of coolness of my parents’ vocation. So I stood in front of the whole class. and I said, ‘My dad sells light bulbs.’ Fortunately, with age comes maturity [and I’ve come to realize] that selling light bulbs doesn’t begin to capture the thousand-mile journey built one step at a time. This person’s journey began in a rented basement office in College Point, New York. Picture this scene: a cramped, small basement with two tables pushed together, surrounded by walls lined with inventory boxes. There, a heavily pregnant and deeply committed business partner [his mother, Tai] was working tirelessly, unloading shipments from a truck that just arrived from their supplier in Taiwan. From there, their journey led directly into downtown New York City, where they would double-park their 1984 Oldsmobile family wagon right outside the lighting showrooms in The Bowery, determined to hand deliver orders to their clients. It was a masterclass in grit, family devotion, and the humble beginnings of what we celebrate today. That’s determination. Always looking ahead, this individual never settled for the status quo. They pushed the WAC Group to expand, to explore, and to innovate. Opening a factory in China in the ‘90s wasn’t just a business move, it was a leap into the future that few could foresee. This was the same spirit that drove our rapid adoption of low voltage and LED technology, transforming the industry standard. Change wasn’t something to fear. It was an opportunity.”
A video tribute of the early days of WAC’s founding through to the present day was shown to the audience before Tony Wang took the stage.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as this year’s inductee into the ALA Lighting Hall of Fame. To be recognized alongside so many extraordinary leaders who have helped shape the lighting industry is a distinction I accept with tremendous credit. I want to thank the American Lighting Association for this incredible honor and for their long-standing commitment to advancing our industry and bringing together the people who make lighting such a remarkable field,” Wang said.
“I am especially grateful to everyone who supported WAC throughout my journey. My career accomplishments are the result of many people working together toward a common vision,” he continued. “I think about our showroom customers and other professionals who trusted us and helped make our industry what it is today. I want to thank my family especially. Building a business demands a lot, and success often requires sacrifices that others don’t see. I thank my beautiful wife, Tai, my daughter Shelley and son-in-law Dirk, and my son Thomas and his wife Yvonne. All have been there through the long days, difficult decisions, uncertainties and challenges. Their patience, encouragement, and love have meant more to me than I can express today. I love you.”
Wang then addressed the WAC team of employees. “This honor belongs to you. A company is not just a name on our building or logo on a product. It is comprised of many hardworking, highly skilled people in sales, marketing and customer service who build relationships one conversation at a time…the engineers who spend countless hours solving problems, and our designers who insist on getting every detail right…our manufacturing team who turn ideas into products, and personnel in our warehouses, offices, and facilities who make sure that our promise to customers becomes reality. Their creativity, perseverance and diligence have inspired me throughout my career.”
In closing, he stated, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished together, but I’m even more proud of our company’s culture, innovation and dedication. I believe lighting is much more than simply a functional necessity. Light transforms architecture and shapes how people experience the space. It creates emotion and helps enhance our health, wellness, and quality life. That belief has guided me all along. Our industry has changed dramatically over the years. We have witnessed the evolution from traditional light sources to integrated LED, smart controls, kinetic technology, sophisticated optics and sustainable solutions. But despite all these changes, one thing remains constant: the importance of people. I’m truly humbled and honored to be inducted into the ALA Lighting Hall of Fame and serve our industry.”
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