Meet the Speakers

Peter Augusta

General Manager, NA

Casambi Technologies, Inc.

With 20 years of experience in architectural lighting, Peter Augusta has a unique blended background in lighting, software and modern technologies with a passion for bringing these disciplines together.
Casambi’s wireless, wired and hybrid lighting control system is a robust, cost-effective and simple solution that delivers versatility in design and control, ease of installation and use, and connectivity that’s reliable and effortless.

PRESENTATION:

DALI Made Easy

3:30pm-4:30pm
Intermediate

Catherine Barnes

LC, CLCP, WELL AP
Principal Lighting Designer

RAB Lighting

A Principal Lighting Designer with many years of professional experience, Catherine’s responsibilities and technical expertise have evolved over time. Early career responsibilities included technical support for salespeople and customers at various distributors. Catherine then entered the field of Consulting Engineering. Catherine began as an Electrical Designer, and soon worked her way up to the Senior Project Engineer level. Catherine earned her LC credential from the NCQLP in 2006, proving her passion for Lighting. Catherine’s experience is extensive, and includes lighting systems evaluation and design, power distribution systems evaluation and design, PM, estimating, construction documents, CA/CM, building condition assessments, client interviews, lighting training and presentations, computer modeling of lighting, energy efficient lighting design solutions, lighting retrofit projects, energy savings calculations, ROI calculations, short circuit calculations, CSI and Spectext technical specifications, technical reports, and submittal reviews.

Catherine supported previous and current employers in all aspects of lighting design and modeling, using several types of Lighting modeling software, primarily AGI32, and acted as the technical lead person of Lighting for a National ENR Top 200 engineering firm. Catherine was charged with interpretation and implementation of IES standards and all applicable energy codes and initiatives, including EPACT 2005.

In her most recent career move, Catherine joined a lighting/controls manufacturer, in the fast-paced Lighting Design Department. In addition to bringing Sr. level expertise and experience to the Lighting Design Team, she has helped champion the design of their Wireless Lighting Control system, being the primary contact for sales personnel and clients.

Catherine has IES Committee experience, recently working on the LEM-7 Annex C – The Addendum on Interior and Exterior Wireless Controls as well as the Education, Library, and Office Committee. Catherine has held the Treasurer office of the IES Syracuse section since 2019. Catherine earned the CLCP designation from NALMCO in 2019 and the WELL-AP Accreditation from the IWBI in 2022. Recently Catherine earned a promotion to Principal Lighting Designer, which has been a career goal for quite some time.

PRESENTATION:

Lightcloud: Easy Wireless Control

10:30am-11:30am
Introductory

Chuck Cameron

Sales Manager

NX Controls Northeast–Current Lighting

Chuck Cameron works with specifiers, distributors and contractors to provide effective and efficient lighting controls. He joined the factory team at Current in 2021, supporting the NX Controls brand in the specification channel. Prior to that, he spent eight years leading the controls effort at a NYC sales agency. This followed sixteen years as a lighting design consultant. His lighting enhances the environments of landmarks, museums, restaurants, galleries, residences, infrastructure and public spaces from Seattle to Miami to Scotland. In addition, he teaches at the New York School of Interior Design in the MPS in Interior Lighting Design program. Chuck served as the 89th president of the IESNYC from 2011-2013 and he is also a founding director of the Building Energy Exchange (BEEx).

PRESENTATION:

Step into the Light: Mastering Occupancy Sensing for Energy and Comfort

12:30pm-1:30pm
Intermediate

Nick Downham

Control Systems Manager

Lighting Services Inc.

Nick Downham Is a member of the IESNA where he sits on the Lighting Control Systems Committee and The Museum and Art Gallery Lighting Committee. With over 15 years in the entertainment lighting industry, Nick’s unique combination of experience in system design, installation, project management, and sales allows him to think multi-dimensionally to overcome the day-to-day challenges we experience as lighting professionals. Notable projects include event facilities at Google, interactive experiences at Lionsgate Entertainment World, and the theatrical systems at The Lewis Center for the Performing arts at Princeton University.

PRESENTATION:

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Controls Adventure

1:30pm-2:30pm
Advanced

Bill Ellis

Co-founder and Owner

Candela Controls

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 (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, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island.

Throughout his tenure, Bill’s knowledge and experience has garnered him respect in the industry for his innovative thinking and problem-solving approach to the unusual project. Some of his most challenging projects include: The Sky Church and Artists Journey at Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA; The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, IL; The Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at The Kennedy Space Center, FL; and The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD. In addition, there have been over 19 casino projects in 7 states, the Bahamas, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as multiple themed projects for the Walt Disney World Company, SeaWorld Entertainment, and Universal Orlando.

Bill has been approached more frequently to participate in panel discussions, seminars and workshops that have ranged from industry fundamentals to DMX512 to PoE. He has received positive reviews from LightFair International, LDI and IESNA, for his ability to present complicated content in a cohesive and unbiased way. He has also presented at IALD Enlighten Americas 2019 in Albuquerque, NM and at NATEAC 2020 in New York.

Bill is also dedicated to community service in Florida as well as giving back to the industry at large. He has been a volunteer reservist with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department in Central Florida since 2003, primarily photographing scenes to use for marketing, training and investigation purposes. Bill holds a BFA degree in Lighting and Audio from the North Carolina School of the Arts and has participated in several of the school’s job fairs, and has taught a masters class there as well. Candela Controls has been proud to sponsor the industry charity, Behind the Scenes, since 2014. The charity supports entertainment technology professionals who have fallen on hard times.

Business credits and recognitions include Systems Integrator VANCO Lighting; Systems Engineer BASH Lighting South; Master Electrician, Walt Disney’s World on Ice; PLASA’s Volunteer of the Year 2014; and an Archi-Tech award winner for Technology Integration in 2010 for the Carolina Herrera store in Las Vegas, NV.

Bill has two daughters, Rachel and Alexandra, and resides in Montverde, FL with his wife, Jocelyn.

PRESENTATION:

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Controls Adventure

1:30pm-2:30pm
Advanced

Lauren Hudson

Specification Manager

Wattstopper- Legrand, North and Central America

Lauren Hudson is the Northeast Regional Specification Manager for Wattstopper, with over eight years of experience at Legrand. She started as an Application Engineer before moving on to develop Wattstopper’s Factory-Authorized Service Provider Program. Lauren is an active member of the Philadelphia chapter of Professional Women in Construction and serves on the professional development committee of Elle, Legrand’s women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG).

PRESENTATION:

Networked Lighting Control Solutions for Enterprise Projects

11:30am-12:30pm
Introductory

Harold Jepsen

Vice President of Standards and Industry Relations

Building Controls and Lighting Division-Legrand, North and Central America

With over 30 years of experience in energy, lighting, and building automation, he is a licensed electrical engineer and a WELL Accredited Professional (WELL-AP). Harold actively contributes to industry standards, serving on key committees within NEMA, ASHRAE, IES, ICC, and other organizations focused on lighting and energy efficiency.

PRESENTATION:

Networked Lighting Control Solutions for Enterprise Projects

11:30am-12:30pm
Introductory

Ted Mather IALD, LC

Managing Principal

New York Studio

By design, Ted Mather’s career resides at the intersection of theatrical, entertainment and architectural lighting. Ted’s dramatic flair and technical expertise merge seamlessly to create striking, dynamic environments and state-of-the-art installations. Ted’s decades of experience—working around the globe—means that his creative vision is balanced with what is truly practical and possible. Mr. Mather’s theatrical pedigree shines through in his architectural practice; his work is brimming with excitement, color and animation.

An accomplished theatrical lighting designer, Ted has transformed the Architainment industry with ground-breaking projects such as The International Spy Museum, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and both the Prow Sculpture & Under The Stars installation at the Time Warner Center in New York City. Ted began his training at the University of Illinois and received his MFA in Stage design from NYU. Before joining forces with Available Light, he was the Principal and President of Ted Mather Lighting Design. Ted is Lighting Certified by the NCQLP, a professional member of the IALD, United Scenic Artists, DLF and IESNA. He has taught and guest lectured for NYU, Drew University and the renowned Broadway Master Class Series.

Theatrical projects include working as Associate Designer on over 20 Broadway productions including Miss Saigon, Beauty and The Beast, Les Miserables, Chess, Art, Aspects of Love, Oklahoma!, Swan Lake, Equus, and God of Carnage.

PRESENTATION:

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Controls Adventure

1:30pm-2:30pm
Advanced

Nicole De Luna

Product Marketing Associate

RAB Lighting

Nicole “Nikki” De Luna is a passionate lighting professional with over 13 years of experience supporting designers, engineers, contractors, and end-users. Nikki is the Product Marketing Associate at RAB Lighting with a focus on networked lighting controls and making lighting easy.

PRESENTATION:

Lightcloud: Easy Wireless Control

10:30am-11:30am
Introductory

Mike Montgomery

Vice President

Applied Technology Sales, Acuity Brands

Michael Montgomery has been delivering environmentally sustainable solutions since 1995, when, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica and Panama, he worked in the field of Sustainable Agriculture. He has worked in the field of commercial and architectural lighting and controls for over 25 years and is currently Vice President of Sales, Applied Technology Solutions at Acuity Brands, where he has spent the last 4 years concentrating his efforts and experience on developing DC-powered lighting and lighting control solutions.

PRESENTATION:

Rewiring the Future: Embracing DC for Lighting Systems

4:30pm-5:30pm
Intermediate
CEU Credit Available.

Martin Mercier P.Eng

Strategic Marketing Manager for IoT and Connected Systems

Cooper Lighting Solutions

Martin Mercier P.Eng is a Strategic Marketing Manager for IoT and Connected systems for Cooper Lighting Solutions, a division of Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting)—a global lighting manufacturer leading the lighting industry revolution into IoT-driven solutions and renewable energy lighting.

Previously Martin was a senior product manager for advanced lighting technology systems for the Americas for 8 years with Signify. Since his early days in R&D, he contributed to develop and launch the patented first Philips Lighting LED light engine plate-form that deployed in multiple brands and manufacturing sites across the Americas.

Shortly after, he helped to successfully bring to market early cloud-based technology lighting systems for public and private customers in the Americas. His insights and ideas helped to strengthen the overall effort in pioneering new technologies for Signify and the lighting industry in general by bringing problem solving solutions for smart city and smart building customers.

In order to achieve goals, he is involved and leading various communities such as NEMA ANSI which help him to constantly establish valuable relationships to share and advance his knowledge and competencies. Detail-oriented and technically gifted, Martin has studied Electrical Engineering at the renowned École de technology supérieure — the largest engineering school in Quebec.

PRESENTATION:

Unleashing the Power of Hybrid Lighting Control

2:30pm-3:30pm
Intermediate