People July 25, 2008

July 24, 2008
Steve Mann has joined Legrand North America as a regional vice president.

Legrand North America (West Hartford, Conn.): Steve Mann has joined the company as a regional vice president. He will be responsible for the Southwest region, which includes Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. He will be based in Arizona. Mann joins Legrand North America from Crouse-Hinds where he served in various management positions. He was most recently Great Lakes manager for Crouse-Hinds. Prior to Crouse-Hinds, he held sales management positions with Thomas & Betts, Acme Transformer and Woodhead Industries.

National Lighting Bureau (Silver Spring, Md.): Douglass M. Baillie, Acuity Brands Lighting, has been elected chair of the National Lighting Bureau. The Bureau is an independent, not-for-profit lighting education organization sponsored by professional societies, trade associations, manufacturers, utilities, and agencies of the U.S. government. Susan Bloom, Philips Lighting and Advance, was elected vice chair. Robert W. “Rob” Colgan Jr., National Electrical Contractors Association, was elected secretary/treasurer. Baillie is Acuity Brands Lighting vice president for corporate communications. He has 42 years’ experience in lighting, electrical, and utility marketing management, principally with Acuity Brands (Lithonia Lighting) and Siemens. Actively involved with the National Lighting Bureau since 1996, Baillie is the recipient of numerous awards recognizing his role in the creation and implementation of communications programs that have contributed to business performance. Others elected or re-elected to serve on the National Lighting Bureau’s 2008 Executive Committee are: John Coventry, International Association of Lighting Designers; Jon A. DiGesu, Osram Sylvania Inc.; Mary Beth Gotti, GE Lighting; Howard Lewis, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America; Terry McGowan, International Dark-sky Association; Cary S. Mendelsohn, interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies; Steven Myers, Philips Lighting Co.; Tom Naber, National Association of Electrical Distributors; Ron Runkles, National Electrical Manufacturers Association; Kristine Winner, National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions; and James M. Yorgey, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.

Capital Lighting & Supply, a subsidiary of Sonepar USA (Upper Marlboro, Md.): Joe Kauten has been named corporate controller. Kauten brings over 30 years of experience working in the distribution and manufacturing fields. He began his career at Unisys Corp., then served as plant controller for different companies in the US and Canada. He also held the positions of VP of Finance for IJE Gametek, a distributor of computer software, Director of accounting and business planning for Federal Mogul, controller for Andrews Office Products, a distributor of office furniture and supplies and most recently controller for National Fruit Product Co. Kauten will take over full responsibility for CLS accounts payable, accounting and payroll departments.

Omni Cable (West Chester, Pa.): Vicki Allin has been appointed district manager of the Chicago region. Allin will be responsible for sales and warehouse operations in the Chicago region. Allin was previously assistant branch manager of the Chicago region. Before joining Omni Cable, she worked for French Gerleman Electric for 18 years Josh Key has been appointed general manager — Tampa, Fla. Key, a six-year veteran of Omni Cable, started in inside sales with Omni, transitioned into outside sales, and became account manager before being promoted to the sales manager for Atlanta.

Nora Lighting (Commerce, Calif.): Alex Brahm has been hired to manage the company’s Quotations and Technical Support departments. Brahm brings more than 21 years of experience in the lighting and electrical supply industry. Although Brahm may be new to Nora Lighting’s employee roster, he has been working with the company’s product line for more than 10 years. Most recently in charge of commercial-lighting quotes for United Electric Supply Co. in Chino, Calif. He previously handled quotations and customer service at Stellar Sales Inc., Nora’s representative in Southern California.

Liberty Wire & Cable, a division of Communications Supply Corp./WESCO (Colorado Springs, Colo.): David C. Traeger has been appointed territory manager for commercial products covering the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. Traeger brings to Liberty more than 20 years of experience in the professional and commercial A/V industries in areas that include A/V system sales, design and integration.