I have always had a passion for technology and music. In high school, I excelled in math and science, so I decided to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University. After I graduated and had a “real” engineering job, I quickly realized that I did not enjoy it, and decided to find a career that aligned with my passions. Around the same time, I had just purchased my first surround sound system and universal remote control, and I loved the whole setup process.
Through some research, I came across the CEDIA website, and for the first time I realized that you could make a career being a custom integrator. I moved back to Michigan, got a job with Navot Shoresh at Spire, and the rest is history.
Earning my engineering degree was an extremely challenging task, but it taught me a lot about hard work and persistence. Some of the lessons I learned in school, such as time management (balancing schoolwork, marching band, and a tiny bit of free time), have helped me succeed as an integrator. I also learned how to troubleshoot and problem solve as an engineer. The engineering world taught me that the answer is not always a simple one, but other times, it is.
In the world of custom integration, I have done everything from installation, programming, operations, project management, and leadership, including leading an executive team. All the skills I acquired as an engineer have had a direct or indirect impact on what I have done in my career as an integrator.
I am a partner with Spire’s founder, Navot Shoresh. My main role as Director of Operations is to oversee the project management and installation teams. We like to keep things simple, so my main focus every day is to deliver “Quality Work, and an Exceptional Customer Experience.” The core values and culture at Spire play a key role in allowing us to do just that, and Navot and I have an incredible team that makes it happen each and every day.
This industry changes at a rapid pace, and Spire always strives to be at the forefront of innovation. We were one of the earliest companies to adopt lighting design and lighting fixtures as a core part of our business, and it has become a significant portion of what we do.
On the flip side of technology and innovation is legislation, which can have a dramatic effect on our industry in the future – it’s actually one of the main reasons I joined CEDIA. We, as custom integrators, need to have our voices heard so that more awareness is brought about in our industry. CEDIA’s lobbying day in Michigan was a prime example of the type of proactive, collective effort that is necessary to protect the work we do. As technology continues to evolve, our industry must remain vigilant in advocating for our interests and ensuring that regulatory decisions support innovation and growth.
My favorite part of this industry when I started 18 years ago was lighting control and it remains my favorite today. The ability to transform a space with the touch of a button is the ultimate blend of experience, emotion, and convenience. When you add in motorized window treatments and circadian lighting technology, it takes everything to the next level. On the non-technology side, I also have a passion for operations, project management, and leadership. It is always exciting to work with the team at Spire and coach them through challenges. My favorite part about leadership is the moment when something “clicks” for an employee, and I get to see the techniques we worked on used in their job.
The best advice I can give to someone who wants to pursue a career in this industry is to keep an open mind about your job role. There are so many paths an employee can take over the course of their career. We have had countless employees at Spire who started out as technicians or system designers and go on to become system specialists, department heads, and managers. Over the years, Navot and I have even had employees approach us about creating new departments. We always welcome that type of forward thinking. In fact, we now have three additional departments at Spire because of employees who approached us with a business plan that aligned with their passions.
