Meet Our Member

The IESNYC spotlights a member each month whose volunteerism, perspective or personal story helps advance our goals, piques our curiosity, and makes 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

September 2026

Brian Stacy
Principal / Fellow, Arup

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
My introduction to lighting came through the world of live performance. Early on, I worked in opera and theater, where I became fascinated by the way light could shape an audience's perception of space, emotion, and storytelling. In a performance environment, lighting is never simply illumination. I feel that light is an active participant in the experience. The combination of creativity, technology, and human impact inspired me from the start and gave me an appreciation for the power of light as a design medium.

From there, I moved into the museum world, joining The Field Museum in Chicago, working on both exhibit lighting and exterior public spaces. That experience expanded my understanding of how lighting could support education, interpretation, architecture, and the visitor experience. Museums taught me that lighting could tell stories not only on a stage, but also through objects, artifacts, buildings, and landscapes. The projects also required the systems-level thinking of architecture and stewardship. I began to see lighting as a profession that extended far beyond entertainment and into the broader built environment.

In the late 1990s, I relocated to Los Angeles to join Arup with a fairly ambitious goal: to help establish a dedicated lighting practice within a large, multidisciplinary engineering and design firm. At the time, that model was uncommon in AEC. We believed that lighting could have a stronger voice when integrated alongside architects, engineers, planners, and other specialists from the earliest stages of a project.

After several years building momentum, that vision became a reality in 2001 with the formal launch of Arup Lighting. Looking back, it was an exciting time to be helping define what a multidisciplinary lighting practice could be. That spirit of innovation and collaboration continues to influence my work today.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
I joined the Illuminating Engineering Society early in my career because I recognized that the organization represented the collective knowledge and expertise of our profession. When I relocated to New York around 2001–02, I engaged with the New York City Section. I immediately discovered that the IESNYC was far more than a technical society. The IESNYC is a community of passionate professionals who genuinely care about advancing the practice of lighting design and engineering.

Over the past 25 years, I have contributed to the IES and specifically the IESNYC in a variety of ways. First, through participating in a number of weekend learning sessions, especially when Energy Codes were fast-developing and highly transformational. Things progressed, and I quickly flipped to the organizing factor in the equation. 

Volunteering included serving on committees focused on education and sustainability. Those experiences allowed me to work alongside so many talented individuals: professionals committed to developing technical knowledge, mentoring emerging professionals, and helping the industry address broader environmental challenges. Participation in the IESNYC also opened doors to friendships, collaborations, and leadership opportunities that have enriched my career far beyond what I initially imagined.

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
I see my role has evolved further toward becoming a contributor and a steward. Nowadays I am a supporter for the organization and encourage all who are able to lend their support. 

Every generation of lighting professionals benefits from the work of those who came before. I believe we have a responsibility to give back to the profession that has provided us with so many opportunities. Through committee work, educational programs, and industry events, I have tried to encourage the exchange of knowledge and meaningful dialogue about where our industry is headed.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
The greatest asset the IESNYC provides is its role as convener. The Section is a trusted platform where diverse perspectives and people come together. From designers and engineers to manufacturers and researchers, we come together to advance the science, art, and application of light. In an increasingly fragmented and disconnected world, this space brings people together around a shared purpose. The IESNYC is more valuable than ever.