IES Names New Director of Education

June 06 2016

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) welcomes Tom Butters as the new IES Director of Education, effective August 1. This new position was established to address the growing need for timely, accessible, and objective continuing education courses in the lighting industry and the expanding role of education within IES for the benefit of its members. 

Butters will oversee the development, implementation and delivery of IES educational programs for professional development, higher educational institutions, and the public at-large. In addition, Butters will develop educational outreach tools and activities to assist lighting professionals in advancing their proficiency through continuing education. Butters will report to the Executive Vice President and work closely with the Directors of Standards and Membership Services.

Since 2007, Butters has been Director/Sr. Manager of Canlyte’s Lighting Concept Centre/Philips Lighting University, one of the busiest educational facilities in North America. He has 30 years in the lighting industry, with 15 years developing and delivering lighting education programs based on IES recommendations to all segments of the industry. Butters has served as a Board Director, President, and Education Chair of IES’ Toronto Section. He was also Vice District Chair of the IES District for Eastern Canada.

“The hire of Tom to fill the newly created position of Director of Education is an important next step in the evolution of IES,” says Tim Licitra, IES Executive Vice President. “Our vision includes increasing the value of membership by providing our members with access to educational content delivered through modern technologies, supporting our sections by assisting in establishing educational programming, and the creation of resources to aid colleges/universities and our strategic partners. Tom will be instrumental in making this vision a reality.”

Brian Liebel, Technical Director of Standards welcomed Butters, saying, “The skills that Tom provides in translating lighting knowledge to concrete examples directed to specific user groups will enhance our product offerings and will provide a valuable service to our members. Tom’s dedication to the advancement of lighting knowledge through multiple media channels will prove to be a tremendous asset to the Society.”

“This new position is a dream job for me,” says Butters. “I strongly feel that never has there been a greater need for all levels of lighting education to all segments of our industry. It is an exciting time to be in lighting. Ever advancing solid state technologies are changing lighting in a way that closely resembles the way smart phones have replaced telephone land lines. We are becoming increasingly aware of how light affects our health, both positively and negatively. And, the ability to not only change color temperature but to modify specific wavelengths is not science fiction.”