November 2015

James O’Blaney  
Principal
O’Blaney Rinker Associates

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
I was living in Los Angeles, trying to get discovered as an actor. While working on a stage show, I met someone at a cast party who offered me a sales position at an electrical parts house. I accepted the job and found myself drawn to their lighting department, including light fixture presentations, drawings with RCPs and working with contractors. As it turned out, the two gents that ran that lighting department were Warren Charter and Mark Sills, who now have a design firm in Chicago.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
I later took a sales position with Lightolier in LA, and like so many others they sent me to training, which taught me the basics of lighting and application. That unleashed my then-unknown passion to learn more about light, its use and how to sell it. Joining the IES was a natural decision. I used to refer to the IES as the "supreme court of lighting.” When I moved back to New York from LA, I wanted to get immersed in the local community, and I knew the fastest way to get injected into the local lighting community was to attend IESNYC events. By the way, that was when I met Randy Sabedra, who I now work with on the Lumen committee and collaborate with on the writing and production of the videos we showed at the last Lumen gala:  Our Whiter LED  and  2015 Lumen Rap

Q: How do you see your role as member of the IESNYC?
I have previously served on the membership and education committees, and I currently serve on the Lumen committee. I have been lucky enough to also MC the gala for past two years. While I have a tremendous amount of fun with the Lumen Awards, a large part of my involvement is driven by wanting to give back to the lighting community that has shared with me amazing people, projects and opportunities. By keeping the "vibe" of the awards ceremony holistic and fun, hopefully people will take the projects/awards and the fun with them back to their lives and be inspired to participate at some level.
 
Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
The IESNYC provides opportunities of all sorts including education and the ability to participate and engage in a community that enjoys light and the world we put it in.