Richard Lyford, Director of Sales, Specialty Lighting Division
Richard Lyford has more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the high-tech and lighting industries. He is currently Director of Sales for the Specialty Lighting Division at American Lighting, LLC in Denver, Colorado. He has held product marketing and sales positions for a number of companies including McDATA Corporation, CSG Systems International, ANTEC and AT&T Network Systems. Over the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to speak in a number of public forums including Networld + Interop, the Storage Networking Industry Association, Hewlett-Packard’s ENSA Expo and the Cable Television Industry Association. In 2006, Richard was featured discussing new lighting technology in an episode of the History Channel’s Modern Marvels program, “Christmas Tech”. He has also penned numerous articles for a variety of newspaper and magazine publications, including Resort Trades Management & Operations Magazine about the benefits of decorative lighting for hotels and resorts, as well as an online feature article in SolarToday.org about the benefits of an LED lighting upgrade at a popular ski village.
Karin Bruce, Director of Marketing
Karin Bruce, a Colorado native, graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering, specializing in Illumination Engineering. She has more than 18 years of experience in the lighting industry that includes experience in electrical layout and design, residential lighting design, retail lighting sales, event lighting design. Currently, her work includes design, marketing, lighting photography and technical writing for American Lighting.
Joe Guernsey, Sales Support/Customer Relations Specialist: Residential and Commercial Sales
Joe Guernsey – aka If You Don’t Know Ask Joe – has been honing his skills in the electrical and lighting industry for more than 25 years. He has built his expertise owning and operating his own battery rebuild, assembly and repair company, which helped him gain a deeper understanding into the in’s and out’s of LEDs. He has worked in the commercial and lighting industry for more than 16 years and has sold lighting of all types including lamps, ballasts, lighting service, new construction and retrofits. Currently he serves as a technical sales representative and support person for American Lighting.
Greg Scala, Director of Product Development
As the Director of Product Development at American Lighting, Greg Scala has extensive experience in global sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution and expansion of new product categories. He has more than 15 years experience in operations and sales in the consumer goods industry, most recently as the COO of Diogen Lighting. Under his direction Diogen Lighting built a strong global foot print with effective operations in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and long-term manufacturing relationships in Asia.
Nina Frieden, Senior Account Manager
As the resident elfin Nina is all about seasonal products, as a Senior Account Manager at American Lighting she focuses on seasonal and decorative lighting. Nina Freiden has extensive experience in lighting sales, product development and inventory management and has been with American Lighting for 7 years.
Jessica Martin, Project Manager
Jessica Martin has worked with American Lighting for 4 years and has more than 10 years of sales and project management experience. In the past ten years, Jessica has focused on human and organizational development providing employers and clients with superior leadership during critical transition phases, including hiring professional staff and installing effective management information systems. Jessica is currently the Project Manager at American Lighting and handles special projects that include product development, facility operations and special event planning.
