images of Flemming Jensen and Jason Samuelian of Espen Technology
| |

Espen Technology Promotes Two to Senior Management Team

California-based Espen Technology, a leader in EV chargers and commercial LED lighting, has promoted to of its executives to new positions in senior management. Flemming Jensen will become VP/Strategic Business, concluding his role as Senior VP/Sales & Marketing. His new responsibilities will include: Managing and growing key national distribution relationships, such as CED, USESI, and…

photo of Jeff Bristol and NEMRA logo
|

Jeff Bristol Appointed as VP of NEMRA Lighting Division

The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) has appointed industry veteran Jeff Bristol as Vice President of its newly formed NEMRA Lighting Division. Bristol most recently served as Senior VP/Sales & Marketing for MaxLite, where he was responsible for developing and executing sales and marketing strategies across multiple business units and managing a 40+ agent…

photo of Chris Kline and FrommConnect logo
| |

FrommConnect Appoints Chris Kline to General Manager

Pennsylvania-based Fromm, a leading independent electrical distributor in the Mid-Atlantic since 1923, has appointed Chris Kline as General Manager of FrommConnect LLC, a subsidiary specializing in design, fabrication, and labor-saving solutions and services for manufacturers and electrical contractors. Kline brings over 25 years of experience in process engineering, automation system design, workplace safety, and cybersecurity….

logos for NEMRA and AAILA
| |

NEMRA & AAILA Join Forces to Form Larger Network

The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) has integrated the American Association of Independent Lighting Agencies (AAILA) into its organization, creating the NEMRA Lighting Division. This strategic initiative was created to empower independent lighting sales agencies and strengthening partnerships with lighting manufacturers. The new division marks NEMRA’s commitment to supporting the unique needs of the…

image of Alex Katz and Verozza logo
| |

Alex Katz Joins VEROZZA Lighting as Senior VP/Sales & Marketing

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, North American architectural lighting manufacturer VEROZZA Lighting has announced that Alex Katz has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Sales &Marketing for North America. VEROZZA is the exclusive North American partner of Swiss manufacturer Neko Lighting. With a wealth of experience in the architectural lighting space, including positions at…

Lamps Plus
|

Lamps Plus Names Ecommerce Veteran Richard Hoalst to New Chief Digital Officer Role

Lamps Plus has announced Richard Hoalst as Chief Digital Officer in a newly created role. Reporting to CEO Jason Goldberger, Hoalst will lead the transformation of the company’s digital commerce efforts across website, marketing, creative, and marketplaces. Hoalst joins the company with nearly 30 years of diverse leadership experience overseeing ecommerce, marketing, and merchandising teams…

image of Randy Mortensen of Leviton
| |

Leviton Promotes Randy Mortensen to EVP Role

New York-based Leviton has promoted Randy Mortensen to Executive Vice President (EVP) of Global Distribution Sales and Marketing. In this new role, Mortensen will drive Leviton’s go-to-market strategy, focusing on providing greater customer reach, capitalizing on the demand for electrification and technology, and concentrating on the expanding data center category.  Since joining Leviton in 2020,…

Sean Veit of Progress Lighting and Vijay Shankar of Kicher
|

Legacy Progress & Kichler Executives Appointed to Top Posts of Combined Company

Now that the ink has dried on arguably the largest decorative residential lighting merger in recent history, Kingswood Capital Management, LP has announced the management team for the combined company. Sean Veit, former Progress Lighting CEO, will serve as CEO and Vijay Shankar, former Kichler President, who will serve as Executive Chairman. Both Veit and Shankar will serve on the…

|

National Specialty Lighting Expands Westward: Mike Krause Joins as Regional Manager for U.S. Growth

National Specialty Lighting (NSL) is thrilled to announce its latest step in expanding market coverage across the United States with the appointment of Mike Krause as the new Regional Manager for the Western U.S.. Mike Krause, previously with Rocky Mountain Lighting Sales, brings extensive industry experience and a passion for lighting innovation to this key…

photo of John Sublett and Distech Controls logo
|

Acuity’s Distech Controls Taps John Sublett to Lead Research and Development

Part of Acuity Brands’ Intelligent Spaces Group, intelligent buildings leader Distech Controls has appointed John Sublett as VP/Research & Development. “Our mission is to make buildings smarter, safer, and greener by delivering open, market-leading edge to cloud solutions that seek to maximize occupant comfort and minimize operational costs,” says Martin Villeneuve, President of Distech Controls….

logo for WILD mentorship program
|

WILD Now Accepting Applications for Mentorship Program

Women in Lighting + Design’s (WILD) peer-to-peer mentorship program was created to connect women at all stages in their lighting careers, encourage leadership and support within the community, and create a safe space for WILD members to share their experiences and learn from one another. The program will be small, peer-to-peer style groups, where all…

photo of Kyra Gregory of Palmetto State Lighting & Designs
|

Palmetto State Lighting & Designs to Independently Represent The Carolinas

Spartanburg, S.C.-based Palmetto State Lighting & Designs, LLC, will represent North Carolina and South Carolina independently from the T&T Lighting Group of Tyrone, Georgia beginning September 1. Since 2018, the two lighting agencies had joined together to cover much of the Southeast including Georgia, North Carolina, Northern Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Howell Turner, owner and founder of T&T…

image of Sach Sankpal and the Acuity logo
| |

Acuity Brands Promotes Sach Sankpal to Lead Lighting & Controls Business

Atlanta-based Acuity Brands has promoted Senior VP/Chief Growth & Transformation Officer Sach Sankpal as its new President of Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL). Sankpal is a former Honeywell executive who also has top level management experience at IOT technology companies such as Resideo and Trimble. “Since joining Acuity two years ago, Sach has…

Examples of IES' Strategic Solutions sports lighting installations
| | | | | | | |

Is Sports Lighting the Next Frontier? IES’ Strategic Solutions Carves Out a Lucrative Niche

By Linda Longo If seizing opportunity were a sport, Independent Electric Supply’s (IES) Strategic Solutions team headed by industry veterans Mike Berube, VP/Sales, and Ed Colombo, Senior Sales, would be All-stars. Together, with support from their team of six, they are dominating the category of sports lighting for municipalities and schools in New England. Berube,…