EiKO Global’s Rick Laird Takes Over from Gary Withers

EiKO Global’s Rick Laird Takes Over from Gary Withers

January 19, 2017

Rick Laird, formerly President of EiKO Global, has assumed the role of President and CEO. Outgoing CEO Gary Withers retired on December 31. 

Under Withers’ 33 years of leadership, EiKO grew from a small family business to a global lighting manufacturer with offices on three continents. “This journey would not be possible without the help and commitment of all those who are working or have worked for EiKO in these almost 40 years, as well as the thousands of customers, reps and vendors throughout the world,” he said.

Withers will continue to serve in a consulting role and board member of EiKO Global. 

Laird began his career in the lighting business at Philips Lighting in 1990, moved to Osram Sylvania in 1995, and joined EiKO in 2007. During his career, he has spent time in several different roles in product development, sales/marketing, and business unit management. Laird became EiKO President in 2012.

“We are truly grateful for Gary’s leadership to make EiKO into what it is today,” Laird said. “I look forward to building on his legacy and continuing EiKO’s tradition of providing the widest selection of high-quality products in the industry.”

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • July 10, 2025 - Mac’s II Agencies Announce Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    Mac’s II Agencies Announces Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    Mac’s II Agencies is pleased to announce that Drazen Jerkovic will be joining their Project & Specification Sales team in the Lighting Division later this fall. With over 25 years of experience in the lighting and electrical industry, Drazen is a highly respected consultant known for his technical knowledge and deep understanding of project delivery. His recent role… Read More…

  • Noramco-Announces-Samantha-Boernsen-as-New-Regional-Sales-Manager-Winnipeg

    Noramco Announces Samantha Boernsen as New Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg

    Please join Noramco in welcoming Samantha Boernsen as Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg! Samantha brings a wealth of experience in the electrical industry, with a strong focus on lighting, marketing strategy, and customer engagement. She has built her career on connecting technical expertise with real-world application, making her a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike.… Read More…


Design

  • Infrastructure Lighting Fixtures: Why Scale Matters

    Infrastructure Lighting Fixtures: Why Scale Matters

    In infrastructure projects, the size and scale of outdoor lighting fixtures are critical—not just for aesthetics, but for functionality, safety, and long-term performance. Whether lighting a streetscape, transit hub, or civic plaza, appropriately scaled fixtures help create environments that are both visually coherent and effectively illuminated. Public lighting plays a role in shaping how spaces… Read More…

  • What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    When operating a data center, the lighting syst​em is often not the most concerned part. Actually, lighting system performance directly influences whole electricity consumption and operating costs, especially in a 24-hour non-stop data center. This article will delve into the key factors to be considered when choosing data center lighting. For enterprises that are planning to… Read More…


New Products