Member of the Month

October 2022

Since 2004, Linda Miller has served as the IESNYC’s public relations and marketing guru. Not only expanding our reach in the NYC lighting community, but building bridges with other professional design organizations. Linda has lifted up dozens of programs over the years: from Lumens to Moonlighting, Student Lighting Competitions to Merit Scholarships. She broadened participation and found new ways to promote both our activities and individual members. The IESNYC will be ever grateful for her contributions, and she will be truly missed as she begins semi-retirement. Thank you, Linda, for your talent, your devotion, and your service!

Linda G. Miller
Communications & Marketing

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
My start was tangential. While working at the Municipal Art Society (MAS) as director of marketing and communication, I headed the PR for the very first Tribute in Light. When the two blue beams of light rose in the sky, I realized that lighting had the power to evoke so many deep emotions in people and also bring a community in mourning together. I also became aware of how important lighting designers and the professionals who design lighting products are to the built environment whether permanent buildings or temporary installations.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
After leaving the MAS I became a freelance writer and PR consultant.  One of my first clients was the fledgling Open House New York (OHNY), who despite obstacles, opened hundreds private and public buildings so New Yorkers could appreciate our city’s architecture and design. It was through OHNY that I met Randy Sabedra, who was vice president of the Section at the time. It was his idea to improve awareness for the IESNYC and what we do. I met with Frank Conti and Patricia DiMaggio, who was president of the Section at the time. I then presented my ideas to the Board and Patricia hired me to be the Section’s PR and Marketing Consultant. I starting working in earnest when Randy succeeded her and became president. We did a lot of outreach to other organizations in the AEC community. After a hiatus of a few years, I started working for the Section once again. I worked with IESNYC presidents Tim Milton, Brian Belluomini, Caleb McKenzie, Mike Barr, and Megan Carroll, and with numerous Committee Chairs, on press releases and web content. Everyone might have had different ideas on how to do things, but they all had the same goal to improve the Section and dedication to follow through.   

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
Years ago, I thought I’d create a program that would garner press attention. We called it “Downtown Where All the Lights are Bright” and featured seven lighting projects, in collaboration with OHNY.  That idea grew into OHNY @ Night with the IESNYC, now in its third year. Lighting designers give talk/tours of their projects geared for the public and it has shown me how much the public is interested lighting and appreciates the work of lighting designers. I also realized how much lighting designers like to show off their work. It’s a win-win.  A few years ago, Howard Branston gave a talk/tour of his relighting of the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park, and I was amazed at how many non-professionals knew about him and wanted to meet him.

In 2013, I started the Member of the Month. It’s been quite an experience getting to know and introduce so many of our members to the lighting community.  Who knew we had such interesting members with wonderful stories to share. I also got the opportunity to interview our Scholarship and Thesis Award recipients. One of our Scholarship recipients, Zachary Pearson, is now on the Board of Managers, and it’s been a wonderful experience for me to see him grow professionally and within the Section.   

Over the many years, I’ve worked closely with Randy and Cathy Bontempo who work on our website. It’s been a lot of coordination and teamwork, but it’s a collaboration I will miss. 

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
For me, it’s all of you. Every one of you, who have enriched my life personally and professionally.