February 2014

Caleb McKenzie LC
Senior Associate
T. Kondos Associates.
 
Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
Before I became a lighting designer, I worked for a space planning firm. The turning point came when I was working on a project for GE’s Lighting Division. Their engineers sent me their lighting and I sent them back one my own plan, which they actually liked better. In a nutshell, the project got published, I was head-hunted, and hired as a lighting designer by T Kondos.  I have worked for Kondos since 1981, except for a three year stint working with the great Douglas Baker.
 
Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
When my good friend Addison Kelly (she’s a Kondos alum) was section president in 1993, she asked me to join and Board and I’ve served on it ever since. Currently, I am the Board’s recording secretary and it’s my responsibility to make sure that members of the Board as well as IES National, receive important communications such as meeting minutes. I am also co-chair of the Board for the Richard Grant, the chairman of the Richard Kelly Grant Review Committee, and serve on the Nominations and Awards, and the Archives Committees. 
 
Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
Our section helps the lighting community is so many ways.  We support lighting design with our annual Student Competition, and we continue to show our support after they graduate through our Emerging Professionals Committee. Currently we are working to establish a scholarship that would provide funds for students to continue their lighting education. And, speaking of education, I consider the classes the section offers to be valuable for professionals at all stages in their career whether they are involved in the lighting industry or in allied fields. I’d like to add that monies generated from our programs and our signature events, like annual Lumen Awards help enable us to continue to run events year-round.
 
Q: How do you see your role as a member of the BOM?
Since I am a lighting designer, I feel I can express concerns and offer ideas from this segment of the industry. To that end, I tend to highly support our educational and awards programs that recognize design excellence and promote green lighting design.  I think we have strong Board leadership and under Tim and Brian (IESNYC president and vice president respectively) guidance I think we feel we will come up with ideas and that will insure our section remains vital and viable in and or the lighting community.