Meet Our Member

The IESNYC spotlights a member each month whose volunteerism, perspectives or personal story helps advance our goals, pique our curiosity, and whose contributions help the IESNYC become a more vibrant and diverse lighting community. We value their expertise and thank them for volunteering their time and energy for the betterment of the section and NYC Lighting Community. #the_iesnycmom

January 2024

Joey Basile
Sales and Marketing Director NA
Intra lighting US

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
I did not set out to be a lighting professional. I was a musician from an early age, then a cabinet maker apprentice, and then a high-end millwork business owner. In 2008 during the financial meltdown, I lost almost everything. At the time, my wife, Julia, was already in the lighting industry and always seemed to do well in good and bad times. So I thought maybe lighting might be a good path. My wife helped me land my first lighting gig, as she reminds me all the time. She’s the best!

My entry into lighting was at an architectural lighting manufacturer in New Jersey. At the time I started at the company, they were transitioning from fluorescent to LED. This was excellent timing. I jumped in right at the beginning of LED technology being used for general lighting. I learned about binning, CRI and R9-values, efficacy, optics, drivers – and the new problems with all of these (mostly drivers).

I left to work on the rep side of the industry, where I learned how the business of lighting is conducted. Not enjoying rep sales as much, I pursued a position back in the manufacturing industry. I worked, again in New Jersey, on high-performance lighting tools, such as grazing and wall washing. After a few years there, managing sales in New York City, I was approached by Intra Lighting to introduce a 34-year-old European manufacturer to North America.

My new role as Director of Sales and Marketing North America was, again, excellent timing. Starting in February 2020 we were able to steer through the challenges of the pandemic and grow our presence in the US.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
I first became a member of IES when I was working as a rep and one of the principals of the company encouraged me to join. I attended as many events and meetings as possible, and still try to attend all to this day. I met some great people at those early educational sessions and social get-togethers, and they are colleagues and friends to this day.

Through the IESNYC, I learned the ins and outs of LED technologies and how they’re specified. LED control systems, for instance, weren’t strictly in my remit. But it’s important for me to keep up on the latest in all the parts of a lighting project.

The IESNYC is perfect for manufacturers; attending and learning from what your colleagues have to share. It’s a great way to get to know the different players in the community. Manufacturers usually only get to interface directly with lighting designers when something goes wrong. Reps and regionals have strong relationships with specifiers, but manufacturers rarely have that day-to-day, person-to-person contact. At IESNYC events, you’re able to talk and make connections with different kinds of professionals at the specification end. We’re learning about the challenges they are facing and the tools they’re looking for. For me, it’s invaluable to ask questions and get that feedback directly.

Q: How do you see your role as “member of the month” of the IESNYC?
It’s important to me to support and participate in many local and national organizations: IALD/LIRC, DLFNY, WILD, and IESNYC are all important in their own way. These organizations support what we do as manufacturers, and relationships and communication can only strengthen and grow our community.

Sponsoring events for both DLFNY and IESNYC gets our name out there. I have relationships with many designers already, but sponsorships add exposure and can open the door to lighting specifiers outside our current network.

There’s the feel-good component too. Not everyone comes up and says thank you, but I know that we’re doing the right thing. The more educated our members are, the greater our chances of success. Every lighting designer is faced with obstacles, and the more they know about the functionality of different products and components, the easier it is for them to solve problems in the field. This is our community.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
The community, of course, is the best asset. The knowledge that presenters share and the endless hours that volunteers give to help others learn and thrive: that’s what makes the IESNYC so special. I’ve developed relationships with so many great people that I work with today, and the connections are stronger every time we get together. The Section brings the community together, strengthening bonds and growing careers.

A project is not just about the reflectances or millwork or the lighting… It’s all in how it works together to create a special environment. So are we.