LIRC Ambassador Spotlight: Donald Stopka, Acuity Brands
As key representatives of LIRC member companies, LIRC Ambassadors are among the highest-visibility profiles in the Lighting Industry Resource Council on the global stage. They work closely with the IALD Region + Chapter Coordinators to engage with the local lighting design community, bolster communications, promote events, encourage networking, and promote the IALD and LIRC.
This edition, we shine the LIRC Ambassador Spotlight on Donald Stopka, Senior Specification Sales Manager with LIRC member company Acuity Brands in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Donald has worked for Acuity Brands Lighting for ten years after graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His diverse experience inside the lighting manufacturer setting has allowed him to build a skill set based on the technical aspects of design and fulfillment of lighting products. Donald's recent technical and specification sales roles have allowed him to educate clients on products' capabilities while learning how engineers, architects, and lighting designers effectively deploy those products.
By getting deeply involved in local IALD events and meetings, Donald hopes to listen to the IALD Midwest US chapter and learn about the collaborative community. Over time, he wants to expand IALD involvement on a broad spectrum, from the design and manufacturer communities.
"Often, only sales associates from manufacturers get involved in these communities to expand their network and influence," he points out, "but inside those companies are other valuable contributors like engineers, product managers, and all manner of service providers. Expanding the interface between lighting designers and those developing, designing, and manufacturing lighting products would improve long-term lighting outcomes. It could influence future design philosophies for building and lighting layouts and product design, improving future lighting products to fit lighting designer's needs better."
Donald looks forward to his role as a LIRC ambassador to further the research and collaboration on improving best practices for human-centric lighting, particularly discussions on best practices for circadian lighting and how to design spaces that allow individuals to control their environment.
In the long term, he seeks to expand his and Acuity Brands' involvement in the IALD to grow and benefit this community. He sees this as an excellent opportunity to learn from the IALD and better understand how the Association improves the design community and the industry.
Those interested in becoming an LIRC Ambassador or nominating a colleague can learn more about the program, the responsibilities and benefits of the role, and how to apply.