Vote for Residential Lighting's 2013 Industry Leadership Award

BOB COHEN
President, Meyda Tiffany Lighting and 2nd Ave. Lighting

Bob Cohen turned Meyda Lighting, founded by his parents in 1974, into a leading manufacturer and designer of decorative lighting, especially Tiffany-style. His business expanded several years ago when he acquired 2nd Avenue Lighting, and through it all, he’s worked to develop innovations that transcend custom architectural lighting for any budget.

Cohen has received accolades from his numerous supporters: “His achievements have gone unrecognized for many years,” says Larry Travis of Larry Travis Assoc.

“As their vendor, I deal with Meyda on a regular basis,” says Linda Gleason, General Manager of Luminance’s New York facility. “The employees love him, spending hours going that extra mile for Bob. He treats them as family and values them very highly. In these difficult economic times Bob has shown great leadership in guiding his company to success, unafraid to step into new venues.”

GREG KAY
Owner, Lightology

Lighting designer, engineer and entrepreneur Greg Kay is due much of the credit for the popularity of sleek, low voltage technologies in the homes and offices of today’s America. In 1983, he founded Tech Lighting in a small Chicago showroom and developed a low voltage system based on European models that was approved for use in the United States. Kay sold Tech Lighting in 2001 and opened a successful 20,000-square-foot contemporary lighting showroom in downtown Chicago called Lightology, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Neil Graves of Tri-State Sales nominated Kay for his vision and leadership. “There are few people who have single-handedly established a category of lighting, and Greg developed the rail system,” Graves says. “Today he is still working on the next generation of light with his Pure/Edge Lighting brands.”

CLARK LINSTONE
President, Pacific Coast Lighting

Clark Linstone, President of Pacific Coast Lighting, is no stranger to accolades. Retail Information Systems News named him as one of the “10 Influential Executives Spearheading Innovation” and he is a past recipient the Retail Financial Executive of the Year Award from the Retail Financial Executives of Southern California.

Linstone's leadership has also included service on many governing boards and committees for the American Lighting Assn. (ALA). He is Chair Elect of the ALA Board of Governors, and has been Chair of the Government Affairs Committee since 2004 and a member of the Electronic Technology Committee since 2002. He was also Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer from 2009 to 2012, and was Chair of the ALA-PAC from 2004 to 2010.

SERGIO OROZCO
Principal, Sergio Orozco Designs

Colombian-born Sergio Orozco is an award-winning furniture and lighting designer. Influenced by his extensive international travel and music background, his goal is to create “jewelry for the home.

Hinkley Lighting President Rick Weidemer nominated Orozco for the second year in a row. He says Orozco’s passion for the industry is unmatched. “I think he has such a far-reaching influence. He touches so many of our members and other associated industries — his talents are highly respected.”

JOSEPH TREROTOLA
Owner, Grand Brass Lamp Parts

Joseph Trerotola is the owner of Grand Brass Lamp Parts LLC, a family-owned and -operated lamp and lighting parts company celebrating its 100th year in business this year. Trerotola has a background in electrical and mechanical engineering, and software design. He also holds a patent for the design of the captive ring socket.

Mike Bertona, the Operations Manager at Grand Brass and Trerotola’s nephew, says it’s his uncle’s willingness to help that has made their business, and its customers, succeed. “He spends most of his day helping our customers work through using our parts to realize their designs,” Bertona says. ”Many of today’s American lighting designers started their businesses with a discussion with Joe. His helpfulness to many people should be recognized.”