November 2013

Phillip G. Cialdella, President of Light Abilities

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
My father was an electrical contractor specializing in super high end homes and worked for him when I was a kid and that’s when my love of lighting began. After working on Wall Street, which I did not love, I took a continuing education class at Parsons in lighting design, thinking I might take over my father’s business and specialize in lighting. I took a class at Parsons the New School of Design, and was I was fascinated. It was there that I met Bob Prouse, who is now a partner at Brandston Partnership who encouraged me to get my MFA in lighting design.  I've worked at Edison Price Lighting, Louis Poulsen Lighting, and now have my own company. I have also had the good fortune to sit on the IALD Education Trust as a board member,was the Chair of the Specification Integrity Document with the IALD/LIC, and taught Professional Practices, the Business Side of Design at the Parsons MFA Program.

Q: How long have you been active in the IESNYC and what prompted you to become involved? 
I have been a member of the section since 1989,but before prior to, I was a volunteer, then a student member, which was when I founded the Student Chapter at Parsons. I've served on the board – and like mostmembers of the board, I was invited to a board meeting by my good friend,Matthew Tanteri, - was committee chair for programs, membership, finance,served on the Light Fair Steering Committee, became the section’s treasurer,secretary, vice president, and I was president from 1999-2001.  Another proud moment for me was being involved in the research and design of the section sponsored Richard Kelly exhibit, which was actually my MFA thesis.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC? 
The people, the programs, the networking and being kept up to date what’s happening in the lighting industry

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the BOM?
I try to offer insight from the “real world” and help to make sure we don’t operate in a vacuum so we are in sync with the needs of our members.  As a board member, my role is to provide the President and the rest of the BOM with information and my prospective on issues we can hopefully make better decisions. The BOM is usually at the request of the President and we are asked if we want to continue to serve. I am thankful to still be invited to contribute, even though I tend to ask the difficult questions that nobody else will.