July 2017

Tim Milton, MIES
Regional Vice President Northeast
USAI Lighting

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
Originally from England, I got into lighting after design school. I met my now-wife Heather, an American on company transfer to my hometown, in 2002. We got engaged, and decided to marry and move to America. The vibrancy and pace of New York was a true draw as a place to settle. It was during this time I decided to learn to be a lighting designer, and I enrolled in the Parsons School of Design’s Masters of Lighting program whilst we lived in New York City. After acquiring the one-year degree and sitting with my degree paperwork in hand, I had another sudden realization: lighting design wasn’t my passion — it was the tangible light fixture itself, with all its components, which I truly enjoyed! It was a coincidence that Elliptipar in Connecticut was advertising, and I was lucky enough to land a regional sales role there. After three years of working, my wife was expecting and I had stop traveling. Driven by the need to be local to my home, my path led to Acuity Brands with their new office in New York City. I’ve been at USAI Lighting for the past five years, and am now regional vice president for the northeast.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
Soon after working with Acuity Brands, Manny Feris of Lutron, who was then on the membership committee, reached out to me following an IESNYC function. We met at the Tick Tock Diner on 34th Street over breakfast and he asked for support on the committee. At the time, I didn’t really know what this meant, but he persevered and I agreed to join up, and I enjoyed being on the committee. Later I took the role of secretary of the Section led by Bonnie Whitehouse, who was president at that time. This led to me being Chuck Cameron’s vice president and finally becoming the 90th president of the Section, serving from 2013 – 15. I’m still active in the IESNYC, and as past president, I chair the nominations & awards committee, which organizes the annual Section Service Awards, membership recognitions, and elections to the Board of Managers.

Q: How do you see your role as member of the IESNYC?
Thanks go to Caleb McKenzie, our new Section president. Before I began my term as president, I was seeking sage advice and Caleb told me to think of the presidency as if I were more of a servant to the Section and not a “boss.” For me, this was a positive leadership statement giving me clear meaning as to the core values of the IESNYC. In essence, I was to be a true support role for all of the committees and volunteers who keep the Section running — managing talent!

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
I believe in work life, there comes a time when you feel the need to give back to your industry — a selfless, altruistic view of your profession, how you might provide a legacy which could thrive beyond your work life. I see the IESNYC as a vehicle into which you can express that powerful altruistic energy and develop something lasting that brings the lighting community together in a very positive way.