After 32 years at the helm of his own rep firm, Michael Estrin has joined THEA Enterprises as director of sales. Years ago, when I first interviewed Michael Estrin, he was the principal of Estrin-Calabrese Sales (which later became Estrin-Zirkman Sales). While discussing a day in the life of a lighting rep, he mentioned that…
By David Shiller Are you looking for fresh ideas on how to grow your business in 2026? There is a new resource to help. Lighting Industry Trends For 2026 is a free whitepaper covering many of the most important trends impacting the lighting industry right now. The white paper covers trends in lighting technology, controls,…
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based LINX Lighting + Controls has added to its executive leadership team with the appointment of David Komonosky, LEED AP, as Principal. Widely regarded an influential and forward‑thinking leader in the architectural lighting and controls industry, Komonosky’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for LINX. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Komonosky…
While most viewers of the recent Golden Globes® were watching the celebrities, lighting professionals were undoubtedly looking up at the crystal chandeliers lining the red carpet entrance to the Beverly Hilton hotel in Hollywood. Even the fashion magazines took notice, with Vogue writing: “Awards season aficionados will have spotted that the 2026 Golden Globes boasted…
Renowned New York City-based architectural lighting design firm Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS) has joined the late Paul Marantz’s family and friends in initiating a lighting design scholarship to honor the FMS founder, who died in June 2025 at age 87. In December, the Board of Directors of The Nuckolls Fund unanimously approved the proposal to…
Port Washington, N.Y.-based WAC Group has unveiled a new CEU course: Shaping LED Light – Technology and Trends for Decorative Luminaires. This dynamic course was created to help design professionals navigate the fast-changing world of decorative LED lighting. The course earns 2 HSW CEU credits through the IDCEC and AIA. According to the company, participants will discover…
Architectural lighting company Flos B&B Italia Group has tapped former Bed, Bath & Beyond President Dave Nielsen as the CEO for its San Francisco-based lighting etail division Lumens – which describes itself as an “online destination for design aficionados, architects, interior designers, and contract professionals” searching for luxury lighting. He will report to Piero Gandini, executive chairman…
By Geoffrey S. Marlow Consolidation is not strategy; it’s gravity. Like water finding its level, capital flows toward scale — particularly when private equity firms sit on record dry powder and interest rates finally stabilize after years of turbulence. The rebound we witnessed in 2024, with private equity deal volume up 22% and total announced…
Melville, N.Y.-based Leviton – the long-time manufacturer of electrical, lighting, data network and energy management solutions – is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2026. Established in 1906, Leviton began as a small tinsmithing business founded by Isidor Leviton, where he produced mantle tips used for gas lighting. Since then, Leviton has grown from a single-product manufacturer into a…
North Carolina-based Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand, and Blizzard Lighting LLC have reached a mutually beneficial settlement resolving a patent infringement dispute involving Cree LED’s patents related to LED components commonly used in LED displays. As part of the settlement, Cree LED has granted Blizzard a limited license to certain Cree LED patents covering…
By Patrick Hayes, General Manager at Contractor Training Center by Colibri Group For electrical contractors, technical skill has always been the starting point. Licensing, code compliance, and field experience are non-negotiable. If the work isn’t safe and correct, nothing else matters. What has changed is everything that happens around that work — how jobs are…
The adage, “Don’t sell rebates, sell outcomes” easily applies to the current landscape in the electric utility market today. With the sunsetting of some utility rebate programs – such swapping out incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium for LED versions on a lamp for lamp basis – many contractors, lighting specifiers, and facilities managers…
Paul Pompeo, principal of the renowned executive recruiting firm Pompeo Group, assembled an esteemed committee of leaders in lighting to select the 25 most Influential lighting professionals. As recently shared on the Pompeo Group website, the list of the 25 most influential people in lighting includes four manufacturers, 11 designers, and 10 lighting professionals from…
After nearly four years with Denver-based manufacturer American Lighting, Maxwell Becker has been promoted to National Sales Manager. In previous roles, Becker has served as Regional Sales Manager for the Electrical Distribution sector, and prior to that position was Regional Sales Manager for the Seasonal Lighting part of the company. Related articles Prizm by American…
Virginia-based domestic lighting pole manufacturer Hapco is celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking a historic milestone in the company’s role in shaping lighting infrastructure across the United States. Founded in 1951, Hapco was among the first companies to introduce aluminum street light poles and brackets and developed the industry’s first tapered aluminum light pole. Over the…
Since joining Canada-based lighting manufacturer Liteline in November 2024 as Regional Sales Manager – Pacific & Rockies, Brandi Switzer’s role has been expanded to Regional Manager – Western Canada, effective January 1st, 2026. According to the company, “Since joining Liteline in November 2024, Brandi has done an exceptional job supporting our partners, strengthening relationships, and driving growth across the…