Meet Our Mentors

As a project manager for ELD, Liz is responsible for design concept development, project organization and direction. She specializes in lighting calculations and illustrations. She is passionate about utilizing light to enhance and define the spaces in which we all live, play and grow.

Deborah is a highly regarded academic lecturer, international keynote presenter and author whose white papers, technical reports, and interpretive articles have appeared in industry publications and public newsstands worldwide. Her combined medical and lighting design experience provide unique translational insight as academic circadian science continues to unfold for reproductive and neuroendocrine negative impacts of light at night (LAN) of all living beings.

A former national spokesperson for Osram Sylvania Lighting, she is an early pioneer in connecting the dots between built environmental light spectrum and human health and sleep outcomes. As founder and president of Design Services Inc, she, and partner James Benya PE FIALD FIES, have amassed over 250 national and international awards for their work on numerous projects including the prized 2018 IES Award of Distinction presented for their evidence based circadian lighting system designed for the ASID National Headquarters, the first and only double Platinum certified LEED and WELLv 1 project worldwide.

With over 20 years of professional level medical training and design experience in applied translational L+H research, Deborah is an active member of IES and CIE photobiology, human health, and aging vision committees and a former national spokesperson for Osram Sylvania Lighting. Recognized by the medical community for her translational research contribution on a NATURE 2019 article, she was the invited trac keynote for the International Neurological Disorders Summit: an international conference focusing on advanced treatments in the fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Deborah continues to provide consulting services for design and architectural teams worldwide for projects targeting improvements on occupant productivity, performance, and enhanced sleep efficacy outcomes. Not limited by indoor constraints, her work also includes investigation and specification of circadian protective exterior lighting specifically designed to minimize evening anthropogenic light at night (ALAN ) negative physiological, social, and reproductive impacts on nearby life forms and surrounding environments. Most recently, her work with a major international lighting firm resulted in securing permit approval by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for next steps installation of the artistic lighting of the world-famous Coronado Bridge; a valuable economic community asset spanning an endangered marine environment. The lighting spectrum and timing protocols specified by Ms. Burnett were specific for neuroendocrine and reproductive protection of zooplankton and eelgrass- the primary food chain producers of the entire California San Diego Bay.

Laura Cowley serves as B&H’s Vice President of Electrical Engineering. With over 10 years of extensive experience in Healthcare design, Laura has provided both design and construction administration for a wide variety of projects including medical campuses, psychiatric facilities, children’s hospitals, laboratories, and more. With each project carrying its own unique set of requirements and challenges, Laura looks to provide pragmatic and sustainable solutions that exceed client and user expectations.

Andrea Hartranft, FIALD, Principal of Hartranft Lighting Design, offers expertise gained from more than 1,500 commercial, institutional and industrial projects, including high-end public spaces, energy-efficient workplaces, and cost-driven renovations. Her projects have received international lighting design awards from the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), as well as AIA awards at the regional and national level. She currently serves on the IALD Board of Directors and is a past President of the IALD Education Trust. Andrea has provided presentations on lighting for Enlighten Americas/Europe and Asia and was a workshop head for Lights in Alingsas 2015 and Luci In Riviera 2017. Andrea also developed and taught Lighting Fundamentals and Advanced Lighting Design courses at the Corcoran College of Art and Design from 2006 until 2013.

"Having a mentor is invaluable whether it is to hone in on the most important parts of the conference, navigate the LightFair show floor or understand the inner workings of the industry and the common pitfalls to avoid early on in the profession.”

Jessica Krometis (pronouns: she/her/hers) brings her theatrical sensibilities, honed through a decade in the Chicago theatre scene, to the architectural lighting world. She holds an MFA from Northwestern University with her concentration in Lighting Design for the Stage. Before designing light for architecture and exhibits, she designed countless productions in the Chicago area and New York City for theatre, dance, special events, and museum exhibits.

Jessica is a Senior Designer at Hartranft Lighting Design located in Washington, DC. Her recent projects include museums, media studios, themed experiences, office campuses, high-end residential, restaurants, and hospitality. She has designed and programmed colorful, dynamic building facades and full environmental spaces. Awards include an IES Award of Merit for The International Spy Museum (Architecture), IES Section Awards for Witte Museum, Back Bay Beats, and District Burlington as well as an AAM Special Achievement Award for Visual Engagement for National Museum of Natural History, Deep Time.

Jessica has spoken at the IES Annual Conference, IALD Leadership Workshop, LEDucation, and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival as well as guest speaking at several college theatre programs. She was the IALD New England Chapter coordinator from 2016-2019 and is currently one of the IALD DC Chapter coordinators. She is currently on the IALD Education Trust Stipend Committee as well as the Content Advisory Committee for LightFair International 2020-2022.

Jessica's hobbies include running, biking, and seeing/making theatre. She also plays roller derby on the DC Rollergirls and previously played for Boston Roller Derby.

Marc Langlois uses the art of light to develop specific atmospheres and experiences for museums and galleries, restaurants and bars, event spaces, and even personal homes. Using light as a means to tell a story, Marc designs unique and often dramatic experiences for guests.

Employed at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) as a Lighting Designer, Marc specializes in museum and gallery lighting for 2D and 3D objects and works hands-on with some of history's most notable artists in world-renowned exhibitions.

Honored as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Twenty in their 20s in 2019 as a young leader, Marc has worked on a wide variety of projects involving lighting permanent and temporary art and gallery exhibitions as well as residential and commercial spaces. As an experienced art handler and Preparator at the DIA, Marc is passionate about the art in which he is working with and has the knowledge and expertise for properly preparing, moving, and displaying it during the lighting process.

For his innovative lighting design techniques, Marc was named a Master of Light by Soraa. Marc’s education and experience in art covers a wide range of disciplines. After earning degrees in both graphic design and web design, Marc went on to study Art History at Wayne State University.

"I am a storyteller, the details in the story make learning interesting, I like to teach through my stories and visuals."

Larry Lieberman has been designing and manufacturing products for 31 years. A graduate of Ithaca College and Polytech University he started Vision Quest Lighting inc. in 1996 as a product development company he developed products that are still being manufactured today. Mr. Lieberman currently is listed as an inventor of 5 patents and holds several awards for product design. Vision Quest Lighting started to manufacture decorative custom lighting in 2006. Servicing the national retail account market they became one of the leading supplier of custom lighting. Customers include Abercrombie and Fitch, Ann Tyler, Yum Brands, H&M and Limited Brands to name a few. In the years that followed VQL did projects all over the world including a thirty-foot high chandeliers for Universal Studios Harry Potter Escape From Gringotts ride. Over the years his company has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsday, EnLIGHTenment and Pulse magazine. VQL was acquired in 2017 and Mr. Lieberman started The Lighting Dude which is a lighting broker of decorative lighting and Custom Lighting.

Larry will be speaking at this year’s LightFair.

"For me, mentorship is an opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with emerging professionals, providing insights and advice they can use to untangle professional mysteries and navigate a satisfying career path."

Mark Loeffler has practiced lighting and sustainable design for more than 40 years. Originally a theatrical lighting designer in Austin, Mark shifted into architectural lighting, daylighting, and green design while finishing his graduate studies at Parsons School of Design (MFA 1990). His career has included project management and directorial positions for several firms focused on energy and resource efficiency. Advocating for joyful, invigorating, healthful, and sustainable design, Mark has consulted on notable academic, healthcare, research, corporate, institutional, and recreational buildings across the US, predominately in the Northeast. He has taught and lectured widely for universities and professional conferences, mostly regarding lighting environmentalism, ethics, and social responsibility.

As a teen, Mark intended to become a famous novelist. However, at the age of 18, he got pulled into lighting by a friend who needed help hanging lights for a local ballet company in Austin by promising he’d introduce Mark to ballerinas. Mark ended up as their resident designer (and busy local theatrical lighting designer) for 12 years before “converting” to architectural lighting by enrolling at Parsons in 1987. His friend became a prominent law professor, but Mark converted that opportunity into a very fun and satisfying lighting design career. When not working, Mark enjoys traveling and birding.

"Mentorship is twice blessed. It blesses her/him that gives and her/him that takes. It helps me to recognize my own strength and blind spots, and hence make me a better person. It offered my mentee a chance to be motivated, encouraged and cultivated in a safe environment without fear. I have been mentoring for a good part of my career formally and informally. In fact, I participated in the IES mentorship program some time ago when Kevin Flynn was in charge."

Peter is widely recognized as a pioneer in lighting research, technology and luminaire design. His work in lighting covers many areas including Visual Performance; Photometry; Computer Rendering for Lighting Design; Brightness Perception; Glare; Indirect and Direct/Indirect Lighting; Lens and Reflector Optics; LED and OLED technology.

He holds 125 patents in optics, luminaire design and lighting design and has written over forty technical publications in lighting technology, applications and luminaire design. His luminaire designs have won many prestigious awards including 4 Most Innovative Product of the Year and Several Edison Report Top Ten Product Design Awards at LightFair International.

Peter was instrumental in mainstreaming Indirect and Direct/Indirect Lighting for interior spaces such as offices, classrooms and libraries. He championed OLED Technology into the Lighting Industry and launched OLED Lighting Business for Acuity Brands.

Peter is an IES Fellow and he was a recipient of IES Medal Award, the highest honorary award of the Illuminating Engineering Society. Most recently, Peter received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Edison Report.

"True love for lighting is a 24/7 passion. It has to come from your heart. It taxes your passion as well as your intellect."

I practice Tai Chi every day. Good at Ping Pong. I am a history buff. Love art and design. Enjoy science and Technology.

"I’ve been a lighting designer going on 40 years and as I look back, my career has been propelled by my professional relationships. My first mentor was my high school drama teacher, Burt Dikelsky. Then came my college mentor, Karen Packer. Then came the first Lighting Designer I assisted, Liz Stillwell…. to name a few. Back in the 80s there was no “straight path” to becoming a lighting designer and without mentors I don’t believe I would ever have gotten where I am today. I believe that mentorship is essential, especially in our industry! "

Kathy Pryzgoda has been designing lighting for the past 40 years. Her diverse background includes lighting design for Theatre, Television, and Architecture.

Ms. Pryzgoda received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from the UCLA and became a Theatrical Lighting Designer. Theatrical highlights include The Magic Theatre (San Francisco), Long Beach Opera, and Los Angeles Classical Ballet. Kathy toured internationally for the Jazz Tap Ensemble and locally as a Lighting director (JK Design Group) 2001- 2017 for the Hollywood Bowl’s world music series.

In 1992, Kathy Pryzgoda expanded her skills by designing for Television. She became lighting Designer/Director for Channel One News and received three Broadcast Design International Gold Awards for her work there. In 2000, Kathy created the lighting design for Peter Jennings with World News Tonight on ABC and worked at CNN in New York.

In 2007, Ms. Pryzgoda established Light Studio LA, a multi-faceted architectural lighting design firm. Her work includes residential and commercial architecture. Kathy was “on the road” lighting stores (2010- 2019) for Design Within Reach, a national retailer. In 2014, Kathy received an Award of Merit from the Illuminating Engineering Society for the Design Within Reach.

In addition to her design work, Kathy Pryzgoda teaches locally and lectures nationally. Kathy is Senior lecturer at UCLA extension (Architecture and Interior Design Program) and at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Kathy is on the advisory board of Light Show West and has presented at LightFair, Light Show West, Designer Lighting Forum (DFA), and most recently at HTSA (Home Technology Specialist of America).

While she has spent her life designing lighting, Kathy has secretly been a “closet” artist! She loves oil painting but never felt “good enough” to really dig in. 2020 gave her a chance to explore. She now paints on a regular basis. Nature is her artistic inspiration, hence she loves hiking and exploring! She walked the Camino De Santiago Pilgrimage in Spain in 2015 (500 miles in 33 days) and when she returned, she and her partner Byron built a retreat in Joshua Tree, CA. Today she splits her time between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree.

Brian Rhea began his career right out of college in 2001 with Lithonia Lighting in Conyers, GA, as a Marketing Trainee. He promoted out of the program into a technical support role in Lithonia’s Emergency Lighting division and then went on to work in product development in their Emergency Lighting Department until 2006. In 2006 Brian was transferred to Southern California and was promoted to Regional Sales Manager for Acuity Brands. He worked with electrical distributors and contractors during his tenure as an RSM. In 2010, Brian left Acuity and joined Ledra Brands as their Western Sales Director. This was his foot in the door to the specification side of the business. He managed the western US and Canada. In 2012, Brian returned to Acuity Brands and was their Specification Sales Manager for the Southwest Region. In 2014 he moved back to Ohio for personal reasons, but remained in Sales Management for Acuity, ultimately becoming the Regional VP for Acuity’s Northeast Region. In 2016 Brian was transferred back out to Southern California to be the Regional Vice President for Acuity’s Southwest Region. In 2018 Brian came to work for SDLA, where he is now employed and co-owner of the agency. He leads the specification solutions team and works with their local specification community and leads a team of 3 other specification solutions professionals, and inside representative, and a lighting applications department of 4.

Daniel Salinas has been in the electrical industry since 1978, beginning as a residential lighting consultant with Belco Electric Supply, quickly progressing to showroom manager and eventually to commercial lighting designer. In 1987 he joined Nelson Electric as Senior Designer/Project Manager for lighting and lighting control systems where he worked until 2015. His expertise is in design and project management for both commercial and residential projects. He has received two IESNA IIDA International Awards of Merit for his work on special project applications. In 2015 Dan left Nelson Electric to found Salinas Lighting Consult.

Dan is committed to the lighting and electrical industry in the volunteer and leadership arena where he has served on numerous committees and leadership positions with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) including the Board of Directors, serving as IES President for 2013-2014. After leaving the IES Board in 2015 he continued to serve as a member of IES committees. In addition, he served on committees with the NCQLP and NALCTP. He is currently involved with the California Energy Alliance and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SSPC100 Existing Buildings Committee. He has guest lectured on lighting, lighting controls and sustainable design for university programs, industry conferences and events, for utility events and the Illuminating Engineering Society both locally and nationally.

Dan and his wife Melonie live in Snohomish, Washington and are involved in volunteer work for their church.

Michael Scalzo is the Executive Director of California Electrical Training Inc. (CET) and National Lighting Contractors Association of America (NLCAA). He has been involved with California’s statewide implementation of the Title 24, Part 6 Nonresidential Standards. Michael has been actively providing instruction and training courses for Title 24 2016, 2019, and 2022 Lighting and Electrical Energy Code compliance. His 25 years of field experience has made him an expert in value engineering solutions. In addition to being an Acceptance Test Technician and Employer, he is extensively involved in the lighting and electrical design and energy compliance documentation for his clients.

Sara Schonour is the Vice President of Engagement and Education at Lytei, where she helps lead a team of lighting enthusiasts who tell empowered stories about light. Prior to working at Lytei, Sara founded and led the award-winning CannonDesign Lighting Studio, where she and her team delivered exceptional lighting designs to clients worldwide. Sara is highly engaged in the design community, currently serving on the local IES board of directors, and recently as the DLF-NE president. Sara has also served as adjunct faculty and guest lecturer for several New England lighting programs, and speaks regularly at local and national conferences on various topics surrounding Light.

As a lighting designer at Oculus, Jane is responsible for designing and managing multiple projects simultaneously, along with building client relationships and contributing to the marketing materials that showcase the global success of Oculus's projects. Her award-winning work celebrates both the science and art of light as a powerful way to shape the environment. Before joining the architectural lighting design world, Jane learned to manipulate light and space as a studio photographer, and she ported that creative experience into a career in interior design. After discovering that she particularly enjoyed the element of lighting, Jane joined the Oculus team in 2013, and has since worked on a variety of projects, ranging from boutique retail, restaurants, and residences, to large office TI's, massive mixed-use developments and themed aquarium destinations across the U.S. Local completed projects include The Bloc, ROW DTLA, and Officine Brera in Los Angeles, SunTrust Pier 225 Sea Lions attraction and SHARKS! Predator Gallery at the Georgia Aquarium, the Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium, the St. Louis Union Station Aquarium, and the Mississippi Aquarium. International projects include the City Center Almaza in Cairo, Egypt, and the A4 Art Gallery in Chengdu, PRC.