What is your title?
I’m the Director of Professional Services here at VLS, where I help guide projects and support our amazing teams across the board.
How long have you been with VLS?
This is actually my second time with VLS. I originally joined the company in 2018, left in 2022 to grow my skills in project management, and then came back in 2024. What brought me back? The people. I genuinely missed the team. There’s something special about the culture and camaraderie at VLS that you don’t find everywhere.
What Office Do You Work Out Of?
I work remotely from Eastern Kentucky.
What is your hometown?
I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These days, I live in Banner, Kentucky, which I’ve called home since 2022.
What do you like most about the lighting industry?
What I love most is seeing how lighting can transform a space. At the end of a project, you really see the impact—it brings the whole vision to life.
Who inspires you?
Hands down, my wife. Her work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to do whatever it takes really inspire me every day.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the lighting industry?
Keep an open mind and be willing to learn. The lighting industry is always evolving, and curiosity goes a long way.
What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?
Lately, I’ve been reminded how important relationships are—both in business and in your personal life. They’re the foundation of everything.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I’m half Irish and half Korean. It’s a mix I’m really proud of.
What’s the last book you read?
The last book I read for fun was Desperation by Stephen King. But to be honest, the last thing I really had to read was the Rigging Handbook—I needed it for a test I was preparing for.
What is your favorite hobby?
I used to play hockey for over 20 years—through high school and beyond. Now, I mostly watch it.
What’s the first concert you ever attended?
The first concert I ever attended was a Beatles tribute band called Beatle Magic Mania, back in the early ’90s. It left a mark!
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
Ireland is at the top of my travel list. I also wouldn’t mind traveling to Japan someday.
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could eat one meal every day, it would be Bulgogi—a Korean dish made with thinly sliced beef marinated in savory spices, served with rice. It’s delicious and comforting.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
I’d have to say my cellphone—not just for the convenience, but because it helps me stay connected with the people I care about, especially since I work remotely.
