Episode 473: #379 - The Importance of Integrity in Lighting Distribution

Leon and Brenda tell you how it’s done! Two years ago, FSG acquired West-Lite Supply Company in California and they’ll tell you in this podcast, that it was a complete success. Brenda stayed on with FSG to become VP of California Sales and no one lost their job. In fact, Leon always looks forward, in an acquisition scenario, to finding a gem among the new employees. Leon has been in the lighting industry for over 24 years. Leon entered the industry out of college, joining his family's New Jersey based lighting distributorship, which specialized in lighting supply sales to end users. This company was one of the early adopters of promoting energy conservation programs offerred by utilities in the Northeast. Upon joining FSG in 2007, Leon became one of the National Account Representatives handling multi-site national accounts. In 2012, Leon led the acquisition of Summit Lighting, a Manhattan-based commercial lighting distributor servicing the construction industry. After the acquisition, Leon become the Market Director of this FSG branch, located in the heart of Manhattan. He currently oversees this New York City operation, while concentrating on providing National Accounts with all of the services of FSG including lighting, electrical, signage, technology, and energy solutions. In 2022, after overseeing the NYC operations, Leon became the Chief Operating Officer - Distribution, overseeing the lighting business for FSG nationally. Brenda is one of the VP's of Sales at Facility Solutions Group, assisting in California sales and new business development for one of the leading providers of lighting, electrical, and energy solutions in the US. She has more than 40 years of experience in the lighting industry, having served as the President of West-Lite Supply Company., Inc. for 7 years, and previously in sales and marketing, helping to grow a local California business to a regional leader in lighting distribution and marketing. Her mission is to help customers achieve their lighting goals, whether it is to reduce energy costs, improve aesthetics, enhance safety, or comply with environmental standards. Brenda has extensive knowledge and expertise in energy saving lighting solutions, and has worked with utilities and end users to secure rebates and incentives for implementing green lighting practices. She is passionate about delivering quality service and value to clients and partners, and is always looking for new opportunities and challenges in the lighting industry. 

Who owns Lightfair? What new things are coming along? How are exhibitors being vetted? What is the vision for Lightfair? What’s hot right now in the lighting design world? Christopher answers these queries and more in this episode. Get to Lightfair, May 4 - 8, 2025 in Las Vegas. https://lightfair.us.messefrankfurt.com/us/en.html. Christopher Knowlton is the CEO of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), leading strategic initiatives to support and grow the global architectural lighting design profession. With over 18 years of experience across the built environment industry, his career has spanned theatre, events, and architecture. Christopher holds a BA(Hons) in Lighting Design, an MSc in Light and Lighting and an MBA. His creative and entrepreneurial background, combined with expertise in business strategy and leadership, positions him to drive innovation and collaboration within the IALD, enhancing the profession’s global impact. 

Y por fin llegó el día. En este primer capítulo damos inicio a una nueva etapa: Get a Grip on Lighting en Español, la versión en nuestro idioma del podcast en inglés que lleva años iluminando la industria. Exploramos el fascinante mundo de la iluminación desde dos perspectivas únicas: el diseño y la astronomía. Acompaña a nuestros conductores Alex Carrillo, un diseñador de iluminación y Fernando Ávila, un astrónomo experto en contaminación lumínica, mientras discuten qué es la luz, cómo nos afecta y su importancia en la sociedad. Descubre las diferencias entre luz natural y artificial, su impacto en nuestras vidas y el futuro de la iluminación. Agradecemos especialmente a Michael Colligan por su inspiración y apoyo en este emocionante proyecto. Escúchanos y sé parte de esta conversación! Si tienes ideas, preguntas o te gustaría unirte como invitado en un futuro episodio, ¡nos encantaría escucharte! Acerca de los conductores, Alex es un diseñador de iluminación mexicano relativamente joven que estuvo en el Episodio #364 de GAGOL y desde entonces dejó sembrada la idea de hacer la versión en Español del podcast. Ha realizado proyectos de iluminacion de todo tipo en varias partes del mundo y ha dado clases de iluminación en diversas escuelas en México, por lo que compartir y opinar respecto a la industria de la iluminación, no es nuevo para él. En contraste, Fernando Avila desde niño se enamoró de las estrellas y hoy trabaja para el Observatorio Astronómico Nacional en México, como responsable de la Oficina de la Ley del Cielo, donde busca proteger el entorno natural nocturno de la contaminación lumínica. Fernando también es parte de Dark Sky International desde 2013 y actualmente está en su mesa directiva. Conectar con Alex & Fernando @alexcarrilloromano en Facebook, Instagram y LinkedIn @soyalexcarrillo en X (Twitter) https://astronomia.unam.mx/comunidad/fernando-andres-avila-castro/ 

If Nikola Tesla only knew… Philip Gotthelf has run with Tesla’s invention and made it “the most advanced sustainable commercial lighting on the planet.” In this episode, you’ll learn about induction lighting, but Philip is also pretty knowledgeable about LED, flicker, and blue light effects on the pineal gland. And don’t get him started on road lighting! Philip Gotthelf is a world renowned authority on energy markets and technologies. His expertise dates back to the original formation of energy futures markets in the 1970s where he worked directly with the New York Mercantile Exchange to popularize their crude oil and #2 heating oil contracts. In response to the first Earth Day on April 22nd, 1970, Philip Gotthelf became a crusader against the “Five Ps;” the pollution targets of 1) air, 2) water, 3) soil, 4) light, and 5) noise. In 1982, he revived Nikola Tesla’s magnetic induction light (MIL) to achieve energy efficiency and longevity while reducing light pollution and protecting soil and water from dispersed mercury contained in fluorescent bulbs. In 2007, he created a line of modernized MIL under Ultra-Tech Lighting™ which is now operating as Tesla Induction Lighting Co. in deference to Nikola Tesla who invented the technology. His design objectives included minimizing glare and light pollution to achieve Dark Sky compliance without sacrificing visual acuity, creating quiet drivers (ballasts) to address noise pollution such as the 20,000 cycle harmonic that can disturb bats and canines, encapsulating mercury to render it environmentally inert, eliminating high-frequency flicker to eliminate dangers of strobe migraines or even epilepsy, and developing precise spectral tuning to provide the correct wavelengths for specific applications. Tesla Induction Lighting has the only proven “white light” fixture that does not distract sea turtles like the Green and Loggerhead. His Snow-Bright™ brand has been approved as Dark Sky compliant by the Grand Teton Environmental Commission and the University of Wyoming infrared observatory. Philip Gotthelf has been an active environmentalist for more than half a century. 

John comes onto GAGOL to explain how ESCO’s are serving MUSH. Okay. You know what GAGOL is. You probably know what an ESCO is. You’ll have to listen to this podcast to find out what MUSH stands for. John breaks down what it is to be an ESCO, who they serve, and how they make money. John Hamilton is an accomplished sales executive with over a decade of experience leading growth and driving profitability in the energy services and lighting industries. Currently serving as Vice President of ESCO Sales at SLG Lighting® (since April 2023), John is responsible for creating value within the ESCO market space by developing innovative products and solutions that address the unique needs of energy services companies. In this role, John is focused on expanding SLG’s market share and ensuring the long-term success of the ESCO channel, providing strategic leadership in sales management, account development, and product delivery.Prior to SLG Lighting®, John served as National Sales Director at LEDVANCE, where he managed the growth and profitability of the Energy Services Company (ESCO) channel, establishing relationships with key accounts and aligning customer needs with cutting-edge lighting solutions. During his tenure at MaxLite as National Sales Director for ESCOs (2018–2021), John further honed his expertise in leading national sales initiatives, nurturing client relationships, and building impactful business strategies.Known for his ability to forge long-lasting client relationships and drive results in highly competitive markets, John brings a consultative approach to sales, delivering tailored solutions that create both short-term wins and sustainable growth. With expertise in sales management, account development, and strategic partnerships, John is a trusted leader in the lighting and energy services industries.

Integrity. Is it in short supply? Michael thinks there is a lot of it in the lighting distribution business. People pay their bills on time, honor handshake deals, and trust one another. But it may not be so in other businesses. Lighting Distribution is a good business to be in! 

If you missed the live stream, here is a recording of Michael’s chat with Eric Teacher at Canada Light Expo. Michael and Eric talk about what it is to be a lighting agent, how STL has survived the chaotic agency world of Toronto, and how the US market seems unaware of how enormous the Ontario and Toronto economy is. Working in the lighting industry since 1993, Eric has been with STL Lighting Group for 4 years as a lighting system specification consultant. Eric is Past President of the Toronto IES. 

Dr. Shelley James is back with a little preview of her new podcast, “Thinking Differently About Lighting.” Dr. James has pulled together her “dream team” of scientists to discuss the latest research and findings, and how that is transforming the way we think about lighting. Watch out for the launch on the Get a Grip network. 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. 

Is the LED boom over? Maybe so, but not in sports lighting. The energy savings and cost reductions with LED, and the advancements in controls now means you can get that NFL “look” for your local high school field. As Royce says, it can make participants feel like they are part of something bigger. Royce Banuelos is the marketing manager for SLG Lighting, an LED lighting manufacturer known for their high bays, commercial lighting, and turn key sports lighting solutions. He has an extensive 15+ years of experience in marketing and has been in lighting for 4 of those years, falling in love with the industry of making the world a brighter place. 

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 - we’ll be there live streaming from the Get A Grip On Lighting booth! Bonus as a GAGOL listener: use the code NAILD40 to receive a discount on your registration fees. 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.