LUMENTURE - Key Persons
Chaz has 12+ years of leadership and management experience in the warehousing industry. The high level of knowledge in warehouse procedures, logistics, and safety protocols he brings to the team will help our company strive toward a successful future. Prior to joining Lumenture, Chaz worked for PowerSecure Lighting as a Warehouse Manager. He also held managerial roles for several other nationally known distribution companies like O'Reilly Auto Parts and Fastenal Incorporated. Chaz earned his education from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University.
Gabriella has worked in weight loss as an office manager and lead nutritionist, gaining over 6 years of experience with client services and relations. Utilizing the knowledge she has gained from her prior experience, she will help Lumenture's Inside Sales Team continue to grow with her lively personality, professionalism and eye for detail.
Lumenture was founded by James Leahy - a lighting industry visionary and innovator. Prior to Lumenture, James founded Solais Lighting - a venture-backed LED lighting company that achieved a breakthrough in design, engineering and sales success in the hypercompetitive early market for LED lamps and fixtures. Solais was sold to PowerSecure Lighting in 2012.
Prior to Solais, James was president of Wiedenbach-Brown - a premier national lighting distributor. James has an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Product Design Engineer
Joshua (Josh) Emerich is a mechanical engineer at Lumenture. He started his lighting career in 2017 as an engineering intern at an international specification-grade lighting company for 3 years. During college, Josh was a mechanical engineering intern in dynamic components for Lockheed Martin, worked with Lockheed on his college senior design capstone project, and after graduation worked in the aerospace industry as a mechanical design and an aircraft certification engineer.
Karolina Purdy is a supply chain professional with international experience gained from living and working in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States. She is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University in the U.K., where she studied marketing and supply chain management. Prior to Lumenture, Karolina was the supply chain manager of Solais Lighting, where she coordinated the purchasing and logistics for thousands of products and numerous factories in both China and the United States. Karolina's prior experience includes working in sales and operational roles of increasing responsibility at Fuji Xerox and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
Job Titles:
- Director of Engineering
- Mechanical Design Engineer
Kyle Rutkunas is an experienced mechanical design engineer with a strong foundation in the lighting industry. Prior to joining Lumenture, Kyle worked for 5 years at Solais Lighting, where he became highly knowledgeable of the many manufacturing processes and methods that are required to bring reliable LED lighting fixtures to market. Working closely with international partners, Kyle has helped design and develop products for both indoor and outdoor applications and is excited to bring his talents to the team. Kyle is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Lyndsay is a Marketing Professional with over 5 years of digital marketing experience. Prior to joining Lumenture, she worked as a Marketing consultant for a number of different industries including Architectural Design, Hospitality, and Interior Design and is excited to bring her talents to the Lumenture team. Lyndsay graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Fine Art. She is currently taking courses working towards another degree in Graphic Design.
Olivia has over four years of experience in the Client Services Industry. Prior to Lumenture, she worked in a number of roles as a customer service professional learning how to problem-solve and prioritize customers. Her quick response time along with her friendly personality are a welcomed addition to the Lumenture team!
Olivia graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a Minor in Psychology.
Peter is an experienced lighting professional with +17 years in the lighting industry. In his current role, he will drive sales efforts drawing from his sales management, multi-channel and cross-platform background.
Prior to Lumenture, Peter has held positions ranging from business development in New York City along with Lightolier National Accounts to global next steps taking him to the Middle East, Central Asia and the Asia Pacific Region.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales, Midwest
Raymond Veillette started his career in lighting in 2017 as a product engineer for an international specification grade lighting company. His previous experiences in Engineering, Marketing, and Sales helped guide him into the all-encompassing role. Utilizing thorough inter-department coordination, Raymond has lead multiple product launches from concept to completion. At Lumenture, Raymond is looking forward to helping expand the product portfolio with beautiful, practical, and must-have luminaires. Raymond is a graduate of both Southern Connecticut State University and Paier College of Art with degrees in Physics and Photography.
Job Titles:
- Electrical Engineer
- Director of Compliance and Technology
Russ Budzilek is an Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in electronics design with LEDs ranging from LED Lighting products to ultra large screen full color LED video and graphics displays. He has an additional 15 years of experience in analog and power electronics design for military applications. Prior to joining Lumenture, Russ held the position of Director of Engineering for Pathway Lighting products managing a team of engineers and technicians where he brought numerous innovations to their product line. Until 2020, Russ also was an adjunct professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Bridgeport for over 15 years where he conducted graduate classes in microelectronics and power electronics. Russ Is looking forward to bringing his experience to new product development at Lumenture. Russ is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport from which he holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales, West Region
Steve brings almost 30 years in sales management experience to Lumenture, 20 of those years in the lighting industry. His role is to partner with Lumenture's valued agents to service specification, distribution, and showrooms, in order to expand revenue in the West Region of the US, Canada and Mexico.