What is your title?

Team Lead, Project Management

How long have you been with VLS?

9 months

What office do you work out of?

Cincinnati, OH

What do you like most about the lighting industry?

I like making art with free floating electrons! Lighting plays a beautiful and tacit roll in art, from creating welcoming atmospheres in all parts of our everyday lives to the life-changing moments we experience. Managing the creation of engineered systems for that purpose, with that capability, is incredibly rewarding work. There’s always a puzzle to solve on how to integrate new technology with new environments and audiences. It also helps the industry is filled with very astute, immensely talented makers, who are incredibly kind and collaborative. Who doesn’t love making art with cool friends?!

Who inspires you?

The helpers, those who choose to help others. Those who go towards the problem, regardless of its magnitude or complexity. I find that selflessness and support incredible. It inspires me to always face challenges with positivity, resilience, and unity.

What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?

I’m currently taking a course to earn a new certification in Project Management. I’ve learned a lot about Project Management philosophies and practices. One framework used to deliver complex work in smaller/faster parts is called Scrum, which is a very fun word just on its own. I learned that the name comes from Rugby, the sport. A rugby scrum is basically a forced group hug between two teams, where everyone locks together, leans forward, and tries to shove the other group off balance, all so one small ball can be rolled between their feet and claimed without further chaos. Ridiculous-looking? Yes. Wildly effective at calming things down? Also yes. This has mashed up two of my favorite things – project management and sports, so it’s a win for me!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the lighting industry?

Be nice. It was advice given to me and has served me well. It’s a great basic metric to apply in any situation. Be nice, it makes the day faster and the work more rewarding. Be nice to your collaborators and to yourself, the world is small and you never know what small gesture makes a big difference to someone else. The high road can get lonely sometimes, might as well be nice while you’re up there. Be nice to yourself, including your mind & body, you only have one, so take care of it.

Fun Facts About Corey

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

In high school, I got the chance to play exhibition games of chess in a national tournament with two of the greats, Garry Kasparov and Gregory Kaidanov – I won against one and drew (tied) against the other. I returned to the next competitive round and lost, got completely pummeled by a third grader.

What’s the last book you read?

This Day by Wendall Berry

What is your favorite hobby?

Hiking

What’s the first concert you ever attended?

Black Crowes – Amorica or Bust tour. I’d seen smaller concerts before but this was the first large, arena-style concert.

What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?

Internationally, the short list is New Zealand, Chile, Netherlands, Portugal
Domestically, Alaska for at least a couple of weeks – I’ve been to 48 of the 50, so 2 more to go!

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’m going with Pizza, lots of options with toppings, sauces, & crusts while easy to eat in many situations.

What’s one item you can’t live without?

I want to say pie as it’s amazing but probably, my phone. It keeps me connected to my friends and I can also use it to order pie.

Connect with Corey on Our Meet the Team Page