June 2016

Peping Dee Jr., LC, LEED AP
Principal
Inform Lightworks, Inc. 


Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
Well, to be a lighting professional was certainly not what I uttered when my parents first asked me what I wanted to be. But I am glad I discovered this industry during my third year in architecture school. In one of our environmental systems courses, Russ Leslie, who is today still the associate director of the Lighting Research Center, came in as a guest speaker and introduced us to lighting technologies. At the end of that session, he invited us to visit the LRC and to explore the graduate lighting program. I was hooked. That first visit nearly 20 years ago changed my career path and led to a minor in lighting by 2001, and a Master of Science in lighting by 2003 from the LRC at Rensselaer.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
About four years ago, Kelly Seeger, a former president of the IESNYC, asked me if I would be willing to help with the chapter's Programs Committee. Since then, I have helped plan, organize and run various events along with many other energetic volunteers. For the Programs Committee, my primary role right now is in managing the section's AIA Provider account. I help speakers presenting at Section programs get AIA Learning Units for their presentations. Offering AIA LUs helps the IESNYC attract more attendees to our programs, particularly design and building professionals who are required to participate in ongoing professional development activities. Any program (whether part of the Education Committee or Programs Committee) can be submitted to the AIA for Learning Units, as long as it meets the AIA's stringent requirements. I also happen to be involved in the Sponsorship Committee.

Q: How do you see your role as member of the IESNYC?
A big part of the IES mission is to elevate the human condition through quality lighting. My role is to do my small part to help make this organization successful. Whether it is planning a program for the Section, teaching a lighting course, or serving on one of the committees, the volunteer work I do is really focused on lighting education.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
Like any organization, the IESNYC's best assets are its volunteers. This section benefits in terms of the number and quality of dedicated people willing to invest their time to make this section run efficiently and successfully year in, year out. I am fortunate to serve with many wonderful people from every sector of our industry through my volunteer work with the Section.

Editor’s Note: In addition to being active in the IESNYC, Peping also serves on the Board of Managers of the Western New England IES Section, where he is their Education Chair, and recently completed the Fundamentals of Lighting Course and taught the first of the ten courses. He had served on the IES Boston and Rhode Island Boards of Managers, and for the Society, he chaired the Lighting for the Aged and Partially Sighted Committee, and served on the steering committee that produced the Lighting for Seniors Symposium in Washington, D.C. in 2012.