SOLAR
BABA LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
The RCH Architectural LED Channel improves performance and reduces glare:
• Selectable wattage & CCT
• 160 lpW
• 0-10V dimming standard
• Commercial, industrial, institutional and retail applications
• 3 low-glare lens options, with no pixilation
• Sensor-ready plug-n-play bracket & Bluetooth networking
SHIRLEY COYLE
Shirley Coyle has worked in the North American commercial lighting industry for several decades, holding various leadership roles. A Past President of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), Shirley is very active in the lighting community, including participation on lighting standards development.
Editor and Publisher
Randy Reid
Assistant Editor
Parker Allen
VP, Associate Publisher, Advertising
Cliff Smith 917.705.3439
Production and Design Coordinator
Angie Hullfish
CONTRIBUTORS
C. WEBSTER MARSH
Owner Penumbra Controls
C. “Webster” Marsh is the owner of Penumbra Controls, where he provides lighting and lighting controls design, specification guidance, and education. Webster brings over 20 years of applied experience with lighting and lighting controls, and he enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with the lighting and lighting controls industry. In his spare time, Webster is a contributor to the Lighting Controls Association's educational resources and co-hosts the Lighting Controls Podcast.
Art Direction
Seraphine Morris
Lighting Management & Maintenance (LM&M) publishes information for the benefit of its members and readers. The sponsor (NALMCO), publisher and editor of LM&M cannot be held liable for changes, revision or inaccuracies contained in the material published. For detailed information on the products, programs, services or policies covered, it is recommended readers contact the appropriate person, company agency of industry group.
LM&M is published by EdisonReport (ISSN 2835-821X). Statements and opinions expressed in articles and editorials in LM&M are the expressions of contributors and do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the EdisonReport. Advertisements appearing in the publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
On The Cover
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina
Photos courtesy of Stones River Electric
No need to choose. XFit High Bays are now available with OpticSwap. Both linear and round models give you multiple lenses with each fixture, so you can pick from wide beam angles to illuminate high shelves, narrow beam angles for tight aisles, and whatever’s right for the open spaces in between. Either way, the tool-free optic lenses change in seconds, and you get precisely targeted light with fewer fixtures.
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Tool-free OpticSwap Technology
Power and Color Select
Easy Screw-in Motion Sensors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thank you for joining us at
DALI North America Summit
A sell out inaugural event
Key topics covered:
Setting the Stage for Innovation Diving into DALI Specifications Business Cases and Real-World Applications
The DALI Alliance Leadership Panel
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for DALI
Our feedback
“The education opportunities have been extraordinary. It was wonderful to network with other lighting industry professionals, and couldn’t recommend being here enough”
- Coleen Harper, CEO and Executive Director of the IES
“A really beneficial and new experience – thanks DALI” - Luke Baar, Loytec Electronics
“Great training agenda, and brilliant conversations with other DALI members”
- Bill Brosius, Tridonic
“DALI is really taking off in North America – we’re excited to be a part of it”
- Scott Resienbosch, Xyston Technology
Find out more about DALI:
President's MESSAGE
Dear
members and industry colleagues,
As I reflect on the past two years as President of our beloved Association, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride. It has been an honor to lead such a dynamic and dedicated group of professionals, and I am truly inspired by the resilience, commitment, and passion of our members and the volunteers that serve them.
We have faced challenges that tested our ability to adapt and innovate. Despite these obstacles, we have seen remarkable progress. Together, we have not only maintained but strengthened the foundation of our Association. From expanding our educational programs to enhancing member engagement, every success has been a testament to the collective effort of this vibrant community.
Some of our notable achievements include:
• Growth in Membership: Our community has grown, and with it, the diversity of ideas and perspectives that make our work so impactful.
• Increased Educational Opportunities: We’ve launched several new programs and events, providing valuable learning experiences for members at all stages of their careers.
• Stronger Partnerships: By collaborating with key industry leaders and organizations, we’ve broadened our reach and created new avenues for growth and development.
• Advocacy and Impact: We’ve made significant strides in advocating for the issues that matter most to our members, ensuring that our voice is heard on critical matters affecting our field.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without your unwavering support. Whether you’ve contributed your time, expertise, or resources, your involvement has been the driving force behind everything we’ve achieved. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your dedication to the mission of the NALMCO Association.
Looking ahead, I am confident that the momentum we’ve built together will continue to propel the Association forward. The future is bright. With your ongoing support, we will continue to build on our successes and create even greater opportunities for all members.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff and volunteers, whose hard work behind the scenes makes everything we do possible. Together, we’ve created something truly special, and I am proud to have served alongside such an exceptional group of professionals.
Finally, as I transition from my role as NALMCO President, I look forward to continuing to work with each of you to shape the future of our industry. I’m excited to see all that we will accomplish together in the years to come.
With deepest gratitude,
Randy
RANDY ALLEN, CALT
From the EDITOR
Trump 2.0 Unlikely To Stall EV Charging Network
Even though President-elect Donald Trump opposes federal EV infrastructure investments, his stance is unlikely to significantly impact the program's progress.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $7.5 billion to establish a nationwide EV charging network, aiming for 500,000 chargers by 2030. According to The Electric Generations, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program has funded 700 locations with 2,800 DC fast chargers.
By January, $4 billion of NEVI’s $5 billion budget will be legally committed or spent, says Atlas Public Policy.
All states, D.C., and Puerto Rico have approved implementation plans for the first three fiscal years, unlocking $2.4 billion. Fiscal year 2025 plans could unlock another $900 million, raising the total to $3.3 billion. NEVI’s “advance appropriations” protect it from annual budget renewals. Once funds are unlocked, federal law mandates reimbursement for state-approved projects.
Mr. Trump has pledged to redirect unspent climate funds, but experts argue Congress would need to pass new laws to make changes. The AP reports that altering NEVI would require overcoming the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
The $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program has awarded $1.1 billion, with $700 million pending. While some unobligated funds could be redirected, mandatory funding rules under the Highway Trust Fund provide protections.
Even if Mr. Trump pauses unobligated spending, laws require eventual use unless Congress intervenes.
Despite a slow rollout—102 NEVI-funded chargers operational as of November—progress is expected to accelerate as initial hurdles are cleared.
Bipartisan support for EV infrastructure also strengthens its position.
With most funds legally protected and bipartisan support, experts believe Mr. Trump’s efforts are unlikely to slow EV charger development.
FROM THE EDITOR
By Parker Allen
Goal
Upgrade the outdated 350-450-Watt metal halide lighting technology at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) with high-performing, energy-efficient, longlasting, and low-maintenance LED fixtures from LEDVANCE
Products Installed 1,431 200-Watt UFO High Bay Fixtures from LEDVANCE, which are ideal replacements for metal halide lighting
• LEDVANCE LEDs slashed the MTCC’s previous lighting energy consumption by some 50%, reducing the cost to light in their exhibit halls by nearly $142,000 annually
• Thanks to their long 150,000-hour rated average life and minimal maintenance requirements, LEDVANCE LEDs will reduce the MTCC’s maintenance costs by $682,000 annually
• The upgrade involved a simple one-for-one changeout and LEDVANCE LEDs were easy to install
• LEDVANCE LEDs will reduce the MTCC’s carbon footprint by nearly 944,000 kWh annually, helping to achieve the Convention Centre’s sustainability goals
• Payback on the MTCC’s investment in LEDVANCE LEDs will occur in under 3 years
• The fixtures’ high color rendering index (CRI) enhances visibility and delivers a uniform ambiance that promotes occupant comfort and well-being
• Unlike metal halide technology, LEDVANCE LED fixtures don’t require a ballast component and don’t contain mercury, a hazardous material that requires special and often costly disposal
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) in Toronto, Canada's largest convention venue, has hosted historic events over the years, such as the NHL Draft in 1985 and the G-20 Summit in 2010.1 It is also the host for IIDEXCanada, the country’s annual national design and architecture trade show.
Representatives from LEDVANCE would regularly attend those shows, looking up and collectively lamenting the state of the lighting. The lighting in the exhibit halls, installed nearly 25 years ago, was a problem.
The MTCC’s high ceilings housed metal halide fixtures with multiple lamps per unit. As the years progressed, the lighting faded and yellowed. Failing lamps were replaced individually, leading to brighter and darker spots throughout the centre’s two show floors.
Hijaz Mohamed, Manager of Engineering at the MTCC, spoke to the frustrations with the existing lighting,
explaining, “In addition to taking a long time to warm up when they were switched on, the lights suffered from lumen depreciation and color shifting over time, which caused them to have different yellow and blue tints, cast shadows, and lack uniformity.”
He continued, “Because they ran very hot, the lights created socket issues, brittle wire, and often burned out. Every time an outage occurred, we'd have to get maintenance crew members out on a boom lift because clients rent out these exhibit floors and don't want their actual products or pictures of their products to be diminished by poor lighting."
The tipping point came after several years of deliberation. MTCC had explored the idea of upgrading to more energy-efficient lighting prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic delayed those plans. After events returned in 2022 and 2023, it became clear that the time for new lighting had come.
was a
MTCC partnered with LEDVANCE and Green Bird Electric to execute this lighting upgrade, focusing on their showroom floors across both the north and south buildings. LEDVANCE provided samples and performed a lighting layout to help visualize the impact of their solution. The trust established between Green Bird Electric and MTCC’s maintenance team played a pivotal role in moving the project forward, but it was the quality of the LEDVANCE products that sealed the deal.
EFFICIENT, LONG-LASTING LIGHTING
The solution was a one-for-one replacement of their outdated high-intensity discharge (HID) fixtures. The old groupings of three 350W or 400W metal halide lamps (there was a mixture of both) were replaced with three 200W UFO High Bays from LEDVANCE. In total, over 1,400 HID lamps were replaced with LED luminaires.
The project received substantial financial support through local utility rebates, covering 50% of the total cost. MTCC expects to save over $600,000 annually in maintenance, along with $142,000 in energy savings, resulting in a payback period of under three years.
A SUSTAINABLE AND STUNNING TRANSFORMATION
The impact of the new lighting has been transformative. Attendees and exhibitors alike have marveled at how much brighter and more inviting the exhibit halls feel. For the first time, MTCC clients—like those from the Auto Show—are opting to use the venue's lighting rather than bringing in their own, praising how the new lights make their displays look.
Source: LEDVANCE North America YouTube channel
“The new lighting,” Mohamed joked, “has enhanced visual acuity in our space so much that we're now planning on redoing our floors later this year because the new lighting has made the blemishes on our floor more visible."
The MTCC retrofit is not just a practical upgrade, but also a significant step toward sustainability. By reducing energy consumption and cutting maintenance costs dramatically, this project aligns with the MTCC’s broader environmental goals. With these new LED fixtures, the MTCC is positioned to serve Toronto’s vibrant convention scene for decades to come. P
1 “Metro Toronto Convention Center” (accessed 2 December 2024). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Toronto_Convention_Centre
The impact of the new lighting has been transformative.
Inside the lighting transformation of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
UNLOCKING SALES SUCCESS
UNLOCKING SALES SUCCESS
Highlights from Mark Jewell’s Keynote at the NALMCO Conference
By Randy Reid
Mark Jewell, author of Selling Energy and renowned subject matter expert, coach, and speaker, delivered an inspiring keynote address at the 71st NALMCO Convention in October. Jewell focused on overcoming barriers to implementing projects and provided actionable strategies for sales professionals to elevate their performance in 2025.
THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS: GENUINE PERSUASION
Jewell emphasized that the success of businesses, manufacturers, and even customers depends on the ability to be genuinely persuasive. However, many in the audience, whom Jewell referred to as "accidental salespeople," may not naturally excel in this area. According to Jewell, the key to becoming a great salesperson lies in mastering the following learnable skills:
ˍ Confidence
ˍ Persuasiveness
ˍ Relationship-Building
ˍ Organization
ˍ Problem-Solving
Crucially, these are learnable skills, not innate traits. These qualities can be developed over time, transforming even the most reluctant individual into a sales professional.
EVOLVING SKILLS FOR TODAY’S INDUSTRY
Jewell identified two additional skills that are crucial for sales professionals in today’s industry:
1. Video Communication: Both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (pre-recorded) video skills are essential tools for connecting with clients.
2. Discipline: The ability to evaluate whether you are on or off course and make necessary adjustments is critical for achieving consistent success.
UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMER NEEDS
Only 16% of customers believe that the salesperson they are working with truly understands their needs before proffering a solution. Jewell stressed the importance of deeply understanding the industry you are selling to and addressing needs beyond the obvious.
For example, when selling to a grocery store chain, highlight how upgrading parking lot lighting can increase customer visits after dark, leading to higher sales. Connecting the benefits of your solutions to a customer’s business goals can create a more compelling case.
BENEFITS BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
Jewell encouraged attendees to acknowledge and communicate the less apparent benefits of their solutions. Thinking creatively about how your product or service impacts the customer’s business can make your pitch more persuasive and impactful.
EVERYONE IS A SALESPERSON
Sales is not limited to those with "sales" in their job titles – every team member has an opportunity to contribute to sales efforts. For instance, a delivery driver noticing outdated metal halide lamps in a warehouse ceiling could suggest the potential for a retrofit. This mindset encourages every employee to think of themselves as a sales professional, broadening the reach and effectiveness of the organization’s sales strategy.
FOCUS ON THE “WHY”
The most important question for any customer is not the "what," "how," or "how much," but the "why." Jewell stressed that customers need a compelling reason to act. Historically, rebates were an effective "why," but as they become less prevalent, sales professionals must develop stronger, more meaningful reasons for customers to invest.
Is lowest price a good enough why? Maybe, but Jewell challenged the audience to think beyond the lowest price as a motivator, highlighting that a value-driven approach often yields better results. Sales professionals should focus on demonstrating the long-term benefits and return on investment of their solutions.
TAKEAWAYS FOR 2025
Jewell’s keynote provided actionable strategies for improving sales tactics:
ˍ Develop confidence, persuasiveness, and organization skills.
ˍ Embrace video communication as a valuable way to communicate with customers.
ˍ Understand your customer’s needs deeply and align your solutions to their goals.
ˍ Encourage all team members to think of themselves as salespeople.
ˍ Focus on the "why" to create compelling reasons for customers to act.
Mark Jewell’s insights offer a roadmap for lighting professionals to enhance their sales effectiveness, adapt to evolving industry challenges, and drive success in the year ahead. P
FLYING HIGH SOLAR POWER with
By Parker Allen
Photos courtesy of Stones River Electric
Six solar PV cells provide power to over 1,000 pounds of batteries, which are then used to power lights and tools for maintenance.
Upon completion of a previous task order at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, Woodstone Energy (WSE) and Stones River Electric (SRE) were made aware of operational concerns concerning the protective solar shades that house the base’s planes.
MCAS Beaufort, home to multiple squadrons of F-18 and F-35 fighter jets, required enhanced lighting and power accessibility under the existing solar shade canopies used to house the jets. The absence of proper lighting during nighttime maintenance, as well as the lack of convenient power sources, presented operational challenges for the base.
A traditional solution, estimated at over $2 million, involved digging up the concrete to run electrical conduit across the tarmac to the canopies. WSE and SRE devised an innovative alternative using solar PV and battery storage systems to power LED lighting and equipment at a fraction of the cost.
The project included six new standalone shade structures with solar PV systems, battery storage, convenience receptacles, and LED lighting with controls. An additional eight structures, which already had existing receptacle power, were retrofitted with the same solar PV, battery storage, and LED solutions.
The new lighting design, delivering an average of 10 foot-candles on the work surface, ensures visibility for maintenance crews while minimizing energy wastage through advanced lighting controls.
Each structure is equipped with a 1.77kW solar PV system and significant industrial lead-acid batteries, which can power operations for three days without sunlight, meeting the base’s resiliency standards. The system also complies with FAA specifications, the Navy’s Unified Facilities Criteria, and local building codes. This solution not only avoids significant upfront costs but also creates a scalable model for future installations at other locations.
The solar shade structures used to house the base’s fighter jets. Each structure is wind- and fire-resistant.
For contractors and energy managers, learning to navigate the nuances of these technologies will be key to successfully executing future projects.
A SUCCESSFUL, SCALABLE MODEL
WSE and SRE’s solution not only saved over $1.6 million in costs but also represents a model that can be replicated elsewhere.
The simplicity of solar projects, combined with advancements in battery storage and LED technology, offers contractors the ability to implement similar systems in settings more common than military bases – settings such as commercial parking lots. The standalone nature of the installation avoids the need for extensive infrastructure work, such as tearing up concrete to install conduit.
F-35 Lightning II. Lighting fixtures from Acuity Brands receive power from battery storage, allowing crews to perform maintenance on the plane at any time of day.
CHALLENGES OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
The new lighting design delivers an average of 10 footcandles on the work surface to ensure proper visibility for maintenance crews.
While solar PV and battery storage solutions are becoming more viable, there are still cost considerations. The efficiency of solar panels is typically around 23-28%, and incorporating batteries increases the overall price. However, for projects like MCAS Beaufort, where traditional electrical solutions would require extensive groundwork, solar becomes the more economical and efficient choice. The installed leadacid batteries, while requiring some maintenance, provide a cost-effective solution for this project, though more advanced solid-state batteries could offer even greater efficiency at a higher price point in the future.
THE FUTURE OF SOLAR INSTALLATIONS
As the solar and battery markets evolve, the balance between cost, efficiency, and practicality continues to shift. While solar technology may not always offer the most attractive ROI for standard projects, in scenarios where traditional infrastructure is too costly or disruptive, it presents an increasingly competitive option. For contractors and energy managers, learning to navigate the nuances of these technologies will be key to successfully executing future projects. ■
The installed lead-acid batteries provide a costeffective source of power for the solar shade structures.
SMAR TE R LIGHTING, BETTER CARE
By Parker Allen
Pilot Program Brings Low-Voltage
Circadian Lighting to Houston Methodist
Healthcare spaces represent a unique category of lighting projects. Budgets are tight. Codes are stringent. And lighting that supports both patient and staff is of paramount importance.
Earlier this year, mate. announced a pilot program with Acuity Brands to transform the patient care areas at the downtown campus of Houston Methodist Hospital. Jenn Upton, CoFounder of mate., and Tommy Nichols, Business Development Director – Healthcare at Acuity Brands, shared their insights on the innovative low-voltage, circadian rhythm-friendly project.
THE SOLUTION
The pilot program includes outfitting Houston Methodist nurse stations, patient rooms, and shared spaces with tunable Lithonia Lighting fixtures—each powered from a mate. smart driver. The M8-TW-ULTRA smart driver is housed within the hospital floor’s mechanical room, making installation and maintenance simpler and less invasive.
The low-voltage power gave rise to a unique aspect of the project – the installation was completed by Lone Star Communications, a Life & Safety Communications company. Companies like Lone Star monitor the code blue emergency buttons and nurse call system devices in the room, which also run on low-voltage power.
Lone Star Communications involvement is a critical advantage
as they are already trusted by and familiar with Houston Methodist’s facility directors. This partnership offers mate. a distinctive way to integrate its lighting technology into healthcare settings.
THE BENEFITS
Circadian Rhythm Lighting for Healthcare
One of the standout features of mate.’s lighting technology is its circadian-aligned lighting system. This system tracks the natural solar cycle, adjusting light levels and color temperatures throughout the day.
In the morning, the lighting starts with a soft amber glow to simulate sunrise and gradually shifts to brighter, cooler light during the day to signal alertness. As evening approaches, the lighting shifts back to a warm, dimmer tone, reducing exposure to blue light, which can interfere with sleep.
Importantly, the circadian-aligned lighting system is set as the system default, providing optimal conditions without requiring manual adjustment from patients or caregivers.
While circadian-effective lighting has been available before, its high cost has historically made it difficult to include in many healthcare projects. This partnership aims to change that.
Image courtesy of mate.
Energy and Cost Savings
In addition to the health benefits, the lighting solution offers significant energy savings. Compared to standard static LED lighting solutions, mate.’s technology uses approximately 60% less energy. This is a critical factor for healthcare facilities, where return on investment is scrutinized, especially when budgets for new builds or renovations are tight.
Another key benefit is the reduced construction cost due to the system’s low-voltage nature. Traditional lighting installations require conduits to be installed in the ceiling, but mate.’s solution eliminates that need, providing a costeffective alternative.
Centralized Management and Maintenance
Designed with centralized management in mind, mate.’s hardware is housed in an IDF closet, where the AC/DC conversion occurs. From this closet, low-voltage wiring runs to individual patient rooms and hallways. This setup not only
simplifies the installation process but also means that most maintenance can often be conducted in the closet itself, minimizing disruption to patient care.
The system also allows for real-time monitoring of each light fixture, offering a significant improvement over the traditional approach of manually checking equipment. Facilities managers can receive performance data on each fixture, enabling them to schedule maintenance proactively, avoiding costly disruptions. By ensuring that maintenance is done before an issue becomes critical, healthcare facilities can improve patient care while reducing the likelihood of costly unplanned downtime in patient rooms.
THE FUTURE
Healthcare design has, in recent years, focused heavily on creating impressive, aesthetically-pleasing lobbies and atria while neglecting patient care areas. Nichols noted, “The second you get back to the patient care environment, that’s where investment has dwindled.”
Acuity Brands and mate. aim to change that. This pilot is just the beginning, with both companies aiming to make low-voltage circadian-aligned lighting a standard feature in healthcare environments. Pending the success of the pilot program, the plan is to expand the project across the Houston Methodist’s other campuses as well as their comprehensive and emergency care centers.
“It feels like lighting has been the last piece of the puzzle in terms of automation in patient rooms,” Upton explained.
The future of healthcare lighting is here—and it’s smarter, more energy-efficient, and more patient-friendly than ever before. ■
The future of healthcare lighting includes a real-time monitoring dashboard. Image courtesy of mate.
Photo Credit: Yuri A., peoplesimages.com
WHAT'S NEW
EMERGENCY POWER VAULT
The Pierborne Emergency Power Vaults are UL924-listed battery backup systems that provide backup power during electrical outages. The lineup, consisting of the Mini, Pro, and Expert Series, can provide from 20 to 1,150W for 90 minutes of emergency power for any 120/277V device or fixture. Upon failure of normal utility power, Emergency Power Vaults are instantly turned on by a solid-state switching circuit, and lumen output will be maintained to 100% of the fixture’s rated output throughout the 90-minute duration.
PREMIUM LED T8 COLLECTION
UL-verified with a remarkably low flicker ratio of less than 2%, SATCO|NUVO’s Premium LED T8 collection provides consistent, comfortable illumination. Ballast bypass and range voltage compatible, 2-foot, 3-foot, and 4-foot models are available in 7W through 18.5W. They offer 5 CCT selectability at installation and are dimmable when used in 120V applications.
NIGHTINGALE™
Nightingale™ is a new brand of patient-centric lighting solutions from Acuity Brands. Products include the Assure™ nightlight and the Observe™ and Assist™ luminaires, with more to be launched in 2025. Drawing on decades of lighting expertise, Nightingale solutions combine the best of design and illumination engineering to provide a more comforting and reassuring patient experience that emphasizes wellness.
HOLOBAY™
The new HOLOBAY™ from Holophane represents the next generation of robust round high bays, designed with precisely engineered die-cast aluminum and a borosilicate prismatic glass solution with exceptional illumination, visual comfort and efficiency. The hinged driver door allows for ease of installation and maintenance.
45-INCH LED LINKABLE SHOP LIGHT
EasyRF™ is a new user-friendly and cost-effective solution designed to seamlessly integrate luminaire level lighting controls (LLLC) for both new construction and retrofit projects. This innovative system is designed to create groupable wireless lighting control and is an ideal fit for contractors and installers working on small to mediumsized projects
BASELINE
U.S. Architectural Lighting introduces Baseline™, delivering glare-free, uniform pickleball and tennis court illumination. It integrates a contemporary, low profile linear aesthetic luminaire with purpose-built Type IV-CL precision optics to cover every inch of the court. With 5 sizes, numerous wattage options, and unique mounting configurations, the versatile fixture gives a unique signature to all levels of court lighting.
ARCHEON CONTEMPORARY SERIES
The Archeon Contemporary Series of roadway luminaires combine high performance with a new contemporary design to meet your utility, DOT and municipal standards. Installation-friendly design features include tool-less entry to the electrical compartment, easy wire routing from the pipe entrance to the terminal block, and unobstructed and easily accessed serviceable components.
PHASE EV™ 48 AMP RESIDENTIAL CHARGER
LEDVANCE introduces the new PHASE EV™ 48 Amp Residential Charger. Don’t let the name fool you – it is ideal for use in dealerships and service stations, providing up to 42 miles of range per hour of charge with its 11.5kW maximum power output. It features an SAE J1772 universal charging connector, compatible with most electric vehicles on the market, and a 25-foot charging cable for easy reach and installation flexibility.
ESSENTIAL TERMINATIONS FOR MODERN LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS
By C. Webster Marsh
Penumbra Controls, Lighting Controls Association, The Lighting Controls Podcast
A version of this article originally appeard on the Lighting Controls Association website. The article has been updated to reflect current technology.
Lighting controls systems may use a wide variety of wiring to connect their systems throughout a project. How that wiring, which may use multiple conductors, connects from device to device is an important component to identify and specify on any project.
A termination is the end of a conductor, and it may facilitate proper communication between devices or help avoid connecting the wrong conductors to a device. Terminations will sometimes also have very specific landing points for its conductors known as “pinouts,” which maintain a consistent connection pattern for all conductors. The following are common terminations that a lighting contractor may come across and with which he or she should be familiar.
PBG / EDISON / TYPE B / NEMA 5-15
The most recognizable termination in North America is referred to as the parallel blade ground, Edison, type B, or NEMA 5-15 plug and receptacle, designed to connect 100V-125V line voltage via the two blades and grounding via the pin. While the design of this termination is for power, one can also send control signal alongside the line voltage with power line carrier (PLC) controls. This is an uncommon termination for PLC, however.
This type of termination, when in standard permanent receptacles, cannot be dimmed. This is to avoid accidental dimming of non-lighting components.
WIRING NUTS / SPLICE CONNECTORS
Wiring nuts or other splice connectors are a quick and easy termination method. By twisting, snapping, or pushing together stripped ends, one can create a solid connection between two or more copper conductors.
Some of these are designed to be permanent, while others are designed to be added and removed multiple times. These are a great resource for a swift connection but may be very messy if connecting multiple circuits and may not be recommended for digital control signals.
TERMINAL BLOCK
Terminal blocks are a common resource when the number of conductors becomes too great for wiring nuts alone. Often found in breaker, relay, or low voltage control panels, these terminations provide a clean and organized termination point for large quantities of wires. They also provide a higher voltage rating than the above terminations but can still be found in low voltage analogue and digital systems, in lieu of other terminations.
RJ45 / 8P8C
Commonly used for internet connectivity, the Registered Jack #45 (RJ45) termination is a common termination for CAT5 wiring, which is a type of twisted pair conductor that many digital controls systems use to connect their devices together. RJ45 often has 8 pins and 8 connectors (8P8C), but not all protocols utilize all 8 pins and may use only 4 or 6, such as in DMX512 when CAT5 is used in lieu of other wiring.
This termination is a great resource for easy installations and is growing in popularity, but care must be given to ensure that the right protocols are connected together when multiple protocols are using the same termination, because various forms of Powerover-Ethernet (PoE) exist which can damage non-PoE devices.
Additionally, CAT5 is not the only form of wiring used with this termination, so a lighting controls specialist should identify what wiring the manufacturer recommends.
RS232 / 9-PIN D-SUBMINIATURE
The 9-pin D-Subminiature (9P D-Sub) was a common D-shaped form of termination in the early days of personal computers but has since been replaced by USB as the main connector for peripherals. The termination is still popular in lighting controls systems as a connector for RS232 protocols. RS232 is not always terminated with a 9P D-Sub and may instead use a terminal block, but the termination is often used to avoid confusion and incorrect wiring of incompatible devices.
RS232 is commonly used to connect two unrelated systems using a common protocol. With the same termination point, a compatible connection point can easily be identified during installation. Additionally, a specifier can easily ascertain if a device can communicate with RS232 by locating a 9P D-Sub port on it.
3 PIN / 5 PIN / XLR / NEUTRIK
XLR connectors are often found in theatrical terminations, most commonly in a 3-pin or 5-pin form-factor, but other pin combinations exist. This type of termination can be accidentally referred to as “microphone cable,” but while microphone cable does use 3-pins as well, care must be given to make sure that the wire terminated is correctly rated for the application for which it is being used.
DMX512 wire (RS485) has a different resistance than microphone wire, and thus using microphone wire for a DMX512 connection may result in corrupt data.
DMX512 TERMINATOR
Typically, a DMX512 terminator is a 120 ohms resistor at the end of a daisy chain. This is not a wire termination, but a data termination. Data reflections can happen in DMX512 when data reaches the end of a daisy chain, and, to prevent this, a resistor is placed at the end to absorb the data and prevent it from travelling backwards.
This is the first thing to look for when troubleshooting a problematic DMX512 system, and it should be placed at the end of every DMX512 chain, but the manufacturer may require terminators in other locations, too. Lighting controls designers should consult with the manufacturer to identify where terminators are required.
FIBER OPTICS
Fiber Optics are a great resource when trying to send control signal long distances, but it is also one of the more fragile conductors that may be specified on a project. Because of this, the terminations are very important to identify and specify. The manufacturer of the fiber optics should be able to help guide the project designer, but this termination is challenging for designers new to fiber optics and may be best specified by a telecommunications or IT consultant.
CONCLUSION
The Lighting Controls Podcast
Lighting controls can be difficult to talk about and understand as many people are terrified of, frustrated with, or confused by them.
Enter Webster Marsh and Ron Kuszmar. Marsh is the owner of Penumbra Controls, where he provides lighting controls design and specification guidance and education. A Professional Lighting Designer and Integrator for nearly 20 years, Ron Kuszmar oversees the Architectural and Theatrical Lighting Design & Installation departments, as well as the Lighting Control Systems and Equipment Sales teams, for Port Lighting Systems.
A lighting controls designer or lighting contractor should know their system inside and out, including what kinds of terminations are being used. Each termination has benefits and drawbacks, and so knowing when to specify an RJ45 over a 5-Pin XLR termination can be the difference between a good and a great lighting controls design.
New and proprietary terminations are frequently being introduced, so those working with lighting controls systems should maintain a current working knowledge of modern terminations and techniques to stay current.
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Together, these two have an ideal vantage point to dissect the topic of lighting controls, and they do so every week on The Lighting Controls Podcast.
To learn more about the show and find the latest episodes, click here.
The Council on Lighting Controls Startup and Integrations
A new lighting controls council has been created at NAILD to continue to support the burgeoning lighting controls industry. It will officially be called The Council on Lighting Controls Startup and Integrations. Kuzsmar and Marsh at the Lighting Controls Podcast will play a huge role in this council.
To learn more about the Council, and its mission and goals, click here
NEW CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED APPRENTICE
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN™
Colorado Lighting, Inc.
David Repnitskiy, CALT
DiVi Energy
Jaren Young, CALT
Energy Management
Collaborative
Gabriel McNamara, CALT
Have Lights Will Travel
Giuseppe Tonino, CALT
Springfield Electric
Brandy Blessent, CALT
Vista Universal, Inc.
Jose Barajas, Jr., CALT
World Electric Supply
Brian Gattis, CALT
Cintya Javier, CALT
CERTIFIED SENIOR
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN™
McBride Lighting, Inc
Jordan Armstrong, CSLT
CERTIFIED LIGHTING CONTROLS PROFESSIONAL™
ABM
Bruce Elliott Shapiro, CLCP
American Wholesale Lighting
Rianto Lie, CLCP
Aurum Consulting Engineers
Gilberto Perez, CLCP
Coastal Controls
Tyler Lake, CLCP
Franklin Energy
William Thomas, CLCP
Keystone Technologies
Adam Martinson, CLCP
Robert Gulley, CLCP
Lawrence Berkeley Lab
Aaron Conniff, CLCP
MaxLite
Eric Schlechtweg, CLCP
Noble Electric Solutions
Jeff Engelmann, CS-GUVT, CLCP
Pacific Energy Concepts
Bridie Ryan, CSLT, CLCP
Andrew Clyde, CSLT, CLCP
Rutenberg Sales
Bijin Balan, CLCP
San Diego Lighting Associates
William Laws, CLCP
Sixteen5hundred
Jordan Ball, CLCP
Tyler Winston, CLCP
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Shyam Kumar, CLCP
True North LED
Tom Fernett, CLCP
WESCO
Matthew Bouchard, CLCP
Ryan Anderson, CLCP
Sheree Poon, CLCP
CERTIFIED LIGHTING MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT® (CLMC®)
Accurate Auditors LLC
Bob Oppermann, CLA, CLMC
LEDVANCE
Dan Magee, CLMC
NEW MEMBERS
ASSOCIATE COMPANY MEMBER
ECOLUME LED
JOIN DATE: 10/17/2024
PROFESSIONAL MEMBER
PAMELA MICKS
JOIN DATE: 10/3/2024
GRETCHEN SANCHEZ
JOIN DATE: 10/4/2024
MEADE HINTON
JOIN DATE: 10/5/2024
MICHAEL BIFARELLA
JOIN DATE: 10/5/2024
QUICK HIGHLIGHTS 221 REGISTERED ATTENDEES
PROCEEDINGS
NEW LEADERSHIP
SPONSORS
The Convention started with a successful board meeting, and we are excited to introduce the new Board of Directors for 2025/2026:
ERIK J. ENNEN CLMC, CLA, CLCP, CLEP, C-GUVMP
PRESIDENT
RANDY ALLEN CALT
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
MONICA KRISTO CALT, CLA, CLMC, CLEP
PRESIDENT ELECT/TREASURER
BRIAN BAKER CLMC, CLA, CLCP, CLEP, C-GUVMP
VICE PRESIDENT OF CERTIFICATIONS
LISA ORLOFF
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
BILL HURD CLMC
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
KEVIN HEID CLMC
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING
WAYNE CALLHAM CLMC, CLEP, LC, CLCP
GEORGE MCINTYRE
JEFF SEIFERT CLA
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
RON HUGHES
EX-OFFICIO
Current President Randy Allen passes the gavel to President Elect Erik Ennen.
From left to right: Scott Mendelsohn, Ron Hughes, Wayne Callham, Jeff Seifert, George McIntyre, Bill Hurd, Lisa Orloff, Brian Baker, Randy Allen, Monica Kristo, Erik Ennen. Not pictured: Kevin Heid.
GENERAL SESSIONS
ˍ Leveraging Virtual Selling and Reframing Your Benefits to Open More Doors and Close More Sales with Mark Jewell, President, Selling Energy
ˍ Artificial Intelligence: How It Will Impact Our Lives and Careers with Mark Lien*, LC, CLEP, CLMC, HBDP, LEED AP, President, Augmented Illumination
*Mark was unable to attend the Convention in person due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, but he still graciously volunteered his time to present his talk virtually.
ˍ Setting Your Year Up for Success – How To Look Through the Crystal Ball and Achieve Your Desired Outcomes with Kyle McClelland, President, Have Lights Will Travel
LUMINA AWARD
Past President Scott Mendelsohn was honored this year with the Lumina Award. This award is presented for commitment, loyalty and dedication to the leadership of NALMCO.
McClelland’s inspirational talk was timely, as NALMCO members – and the Association itself – set their sights on a successful 2025.
Jewell captivated the audience as he shared insights from his 30 years in the lighting and energy industries.
ON THE SHOW FLOOR
ON THE SHOW FLOOR
New NALMCO President Erik Ennen shares his vision for the Association, from expanding certification programs to strengthening industry ties and exploring new revenue opportunities.
Current NALMCO President Randy Allen reflects on a year of success for the Association and shares his thoughts on the future of the industry.
Editor Randy Reid sits down with IES CEO and Executive Director Colleen Harper to discuss the success of recent IES events, future plans for LightFair, and the growing partnership between IES and NALMCO.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
NALMCO extends heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors that made this event possible.
Platinum
ˍ Acuity Brands
ˍ Keystone Technologies
ˍ LEDVANCE
Gold
LSI Industries, Inc.
ASD Lighting Corporation
Silver
ˍ EiKO Global, LLC ˍ Peace Services, LLC ˍ Energy Solutions International, Inc.
And a special thank you to the team behind the scenes that made the whole event possible.
Bronze
ˍ Avi-on Labs, Inc.
ˍ BWI Light
ˍ ESPEN Technology
ˍ Lighting Resources LLC
ˍ Linmore LED
ˍ SnapCount
ˍ Satco Products Inc.
ˍ Wave Lighting
ˍ SENSORWORX
ˍ RAB Lighting
From left to right: Jessica Thornton, Kerigan Hunziker, and Libby Almendarez
BRACE FOR IMPACT
By Parker Allen
In our last update, penned just before the labor negotiations deadline between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), we warned of a looming strike and examined the likely fallout.
That situation played out as expected – on October 1st, the ILA went on strike. Three days later, a tentative wage deal was reached, and the master contract between the two organizations was extended until 15 January,1 meaning we will likely revisit this issue in our next update.
Don’t let the short duration lead you to believe the stoppage was inconsequential. Alejandra Carranza, writing for Supply Chain Dive, interviewed Mia Ginter, Director of North American Ocean Shipping at C.H. Robinson, who noted, “A week of disruption typically leads to at least a month of delays at the ports, and these delays increase as you move inland.”2
This means we are likely still feeling the effects of the short holdout, especially given the already busy nature of this time of
year. And with the issue not resolved but simply pushed down the road, the uncertainty is here to stay for a while.
The other looming issue is the prospect of tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump. Many shippers are not waiting to find out if the President-elect will follow through on his promises and are instead acting now to get items into the country.3
Taken together, CNBC reporter Lori Ann LaRocco referred to the situation as a “double whammy,” noting, “Inventories are already increasing, according to Everstream Analytics, and the supply chain pull forward may accelerate in December.”4
The takeaway? The ongoing peak season will likely see even higher traffic than in years past. Space is expected to be an issue, and rates will likely increase if they haven’t already. Shore up inventory and supplies now. Even though you might pay a premium today, the price you will pay tomorrow might be even higher. P
1 Carranza, Alejandra. “ILA port strike ends through tentative deal” (3 October 2024). Supply Chain Dive. https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/port-strike-usmx-ila-tentativeagreement/728901/
2 Carranza, Alejandra. “The ILA strike is over. What should shippers prioritize now?” (11 October 2024). Supply Chain Dive. https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ila-port-strikeends-what-shippers-should-know/729282/
3 Private correspondence
4 LaRocco, Lori Ann. “A double whammy of tariffs and strikes is coming for U.S. trade and the global supply chain in early 2025” (20 November 2024). CNBC. https://www.cnbc. com/2024/11/19/trump-tariffs-new-port-strikes-shippers-on-edge.html
AD INDEX
KEVIN
UP CLOSE WITH HEID
By Shirley Coyle, LC
The first one-liner was delivered within the opening minutes of a story of returning to Rogers Electric as Senior Director of Lighting. “My favorite saying – I don’t throw rocks” said Kevin Heid. He had left Rogers Electric after eighteen years, then spent 6 years running his own labor-only business before his return. “I don’t throw rocks because I build glass houses.”
– we’ve tackled lots of issues, so I feel like we can do anything with three things: material, equipment and time (and time means we need the right guys on the job and getting them out to do the work).”
Prior to becoming an electrician, Kevin spent four years in the Navy as an electronic warfare technician (“I shot down missiles,” he notes). After 300 days at sea his final year, Kevin searched the classifieds while his wife drove. They were headed to Atlanta.
He found temporary work as a new construction electrician, building Home Depot stores, and within a few months, was hired on by Rogers Electric. “I was trying to put the pieces together of what I was going to do. I knew electrical theory really well, but not a whole lot about application – especially in the retail or commercial environment.”
At Rogers Electric Kevin became a lead, then a foreman, getting his Master Electrician license in Georgia. Eight years into his career, the company moved Kevin into the office to dispatch electrical service and be an electrical service manager.
Rogers Electric was only a few years into their lighting business at this time. “I knew a lot about electricity but not about lighting, so I went to work with Ron Gilcrease.” Gilcrease was Rogers’ VP of Sales for lighting at the time. A former president of NALMCO, he introduced Rogers Electric to the organization.
Kevin reflected on receiving his CLMC about two years into that time, “That was about twenty years ago now! I dove into the NALMCO organization, and they’ve become some of my best friends in the world. People say, ‘Well, that’s your competitor!’ but we don’t compete with each other – we compete against a number. What number are you willing to do it for, and what am I willing to do it for, and how well can each of us do it?”
He continued, “Competing is about trying to stop each other. In this industry, it’s more about asking your buddy where the best fishing spot is. It’s about helping each other. It’s a business of partnerships, and NALMCO became a great means for having collective conversations and learning from one another.”
One thing that concerns Kevin is labor and what’s happened to the trades. “Twenty-five ago, our educators started saying everyone needed to go through college. What happened is that a void formed in the labor market because no one was going into the trades.
“How do we encourage young people to participate in trades?” he asked. “There’s nothing we can’t do as a lighting community
Asked to what he attributes his success, Kevin took a long pause, then prefaced his answer by saying he knows it’s received differently by everyone. “Jesus Christ is the answer to my successes. I know it comes across as cliché, but there’s a bible sitting right on my desk over there open to a spot…and what it teaches is that when you’re doing great work, don’t get drug off your wall. Don’t let distractions pull you off the task at hand. A lot of the principles that I’ve learned biblically…those are the things that are my greatest successes. I don’t measure my success in how much money is in my bank account, who I’m hanging out with, not this goofy beard…I measure my success by my relationships and the people that we’re able to help.”
As Programs Chair for NALMCO, Kevin is now focused on a new organization called “NALMCO Gives Back.” He explained, “What I’d love to see for our next Spring Seminar is that we find a community cause/food mission and add a QR code on every registration to give ten bucks. So when we leave the beautiful city of Chicago next year, we can leave it a bit better off. It’s about recognizing what we’ve been given, and about having an impact beyond the lighting industry.”
What advice would Kevin offer to new people coming into the industry? “Know and understand your craft. Salespeople may know professional sales but may not know lighting. Manufacturers may know product well, but understanding applications is completely different. That’s why NALMCO, with all their certifications, does such a great job helping people learn and master their craft.”
“I love Bob Marley – one of my favorite lines of his is, ‘In this great future, you can’t forget your past.’ We need to honor those who came before us, [people like] Cary Mendelsohn, Ron Gilcrease, Norma Frank, Jami Hall. There are a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time – we need to give them the chance to impart their knowledge. It makes the whole environment better.”
Kevin’s list of pasttimes is long. “I do a lot of work as an elder for my church. I like to play golf – not very good at it, though. I like to hunt and fish. I like to spend time with my family – got a brand-new grandbaby I’m going to see today!”
Kevin and his wife, married for 29 years, have two grown daughters. “We spend a ton of time with our kids. To us, it’s extremely important. You can leave your kids a lot of money, but we choose to leave our kids a legacy by spending time with them.” P
SPRING SEMINAR
Theme: Lighting Controls & Automation
Feature: "The Next Generation of Smart Lighting: What Facility Managers Need to Know"
Technical Insights: Integrating AI and IoT in Lighting Maintenance
Case Study: Real-Time Energy Monitoring in Commercial Spaces Through Advanced Lighting Controls
Trend Watch: Lighting as a Service (LaaS): The Evolution of Maintenance Contracts
Product Focus: Control Systems and Wireless Lighting Networks
To advertise, contact Cliff Smith, Associate Publisher, Advertising at advertising@nalmco.org or 917.705.3439.
*Editorial content subject to change.
OCTOBER 19-22, 2025
