Lighting Sector – Legrand Announces Leadership Updates

 Legrand®, a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, including lighting, announced the following organizational updates within its Lighting Sector Leadership Team at Legrand, North and Central America (LNCA). These changes are effective April 1, 2024, with the executives featured reporting to Tom Lowery, President of LNCA’s Lighting Sector and Building Control Systems division.

Comprised of Finelite, Focal Point, Kenall, OCL Architectural Lighting, and Pinnacle, LNCA’s Lighting Sector delivers unique lighting and acoustic solutions that transform interior and exterior spaces where people live, work, and meet. They meet a variety of customer needs, such as delivering high-performance lighting including safe, visible light disinfection, being easy to specify and install, supporting sustainability goals, creating more comfortable environments, being durable and certified to perform in challenging applications, and enhancing architectural spaces.

Current President of Focal Point, Jimalee Beno will be moving into a more expansive role across LNCA as Vice President – Strategy for LNCA’s Lighting Sector. This is a cross-functional leadership role that has been open since Jim Young assumed the role of President of Pinnacle last year. In her new role, Jimalee will partner with each of the region’s lighting brands to develop and execute plans that promote market leadership and accelerate profitable growth. Jimalee is recognized as a thought leader in the lighting industry, a recognition that will be honored at the EdisonReport’s 9th Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards at LEDucation this month. “Jimalee has successfully led two of LNCA’s lighting brands, OCL and Focal Point, and brings over 30 years of industry experience across multiple functions. This overview perspective, plus her passion for progress and innovation, makes her an ideal person for this important role,” said Lowery.

With this change, Jennifer Butler will be transitioning from President of LNCA’s OCL organization into the Focal Point President role. Jennifer has over 20 years of industry experience including roles at Intense Lighting, Peerless/Acuity, and Cooper Lighting. “With Jennifer’s leadership, the OCL team has experienced exciting growth and introduced numerous award-winning products. Her experience leading one of LNCA’s lighting brands, coupled with her specification-grade linear and downlights expertise, makes her a natural fit to lead the Focal Point business,” said Lowery.

Finally, Chad Simpson has been named President of OCL, in addition to continuing to lead the OCL Sales Function which has been his role since last June as VP of Sales. Prior to joining OCL, Chad was the Director of Architectural Sales for Birchwood/Intense Lighting, and he held multiple roles at Cree LED Lighting and Acuity Brands. 

“Chad has made a significant impact in growing OCL’s customer-focused culture and position in the market. In addition, his strong relationships with OCL’s agency base will serve him well as President. I am confident Chad and the rest of the OCL leadership team will continue Jennifer’s legacy of making sure OCL is an innovative organization that is easy to do business with,” said Lowery.