October 2018

Paul Tarricone, MIES
Editor and Publisher
LD+A

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
My career in trade magazine publishing included time spent working on association publications and time with magazines that focused on architecture, construction and the built environment. Joining LD+A magazine and the IES afforded me the chance to bring both those threads together—the best of both worlds, if you will. I’ve always preferred association magazines (as opposed to B-to-B publications) because the readers are usually highly invested in the association and view the publication as one of the most important member benefits. That’s certainly true of the IES. I’ve always admired the passion that lighting people bring to their jobs. When an LD+A editor interviews a lighting person, that passion for their work shines through, and they’re always happy to explain the nuances of the industry to the layman. That’s made it easy for me to stay in the industry for the past 15 years.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
Easy! Shortly after starting at LD+A in 2003, Bill Maiman and Bob Nadel took me to lunch to give me sort of a history lesson on the Section’s role within IES and to explain the significance of the Lumen Awards program, which was turning 35 that year. Over the years, others in leadership positions within the Section (including Kelly Seeger, Bonnie Whitehouse, Frank Conti, Gary Dulanski and others) have always been gracious and available to discuss how IES HQ, LD+A and the Section could work together.

Q: How do you see your role as member of the IESNYC?
As a staff member of the IES, I look to the IESNYC as the model of how an IES Section delivers valuable benefits to members on the local level. Promoting those programs in LD+A may lead other Sections to try them out. And it works in the other direction as well; all IES Sections can learn from what their fellow Sections are doing.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
Well, you can’t beat the Lumen Gala for industry buzz and camaraderie. The sheer size of the Section and the fact that its members represent all channels of the industry is a real asset, as well. I also had the privilege to serve as a judge for the Student Lighting Design Competition. That exceeded all expectations. The creativity displayed by these students was impressive, and we judges really had a tough time winnowing down the entries.