The Emerging Professional column explores issues affecting younger lighting professionals and those new to the industry.

Ask an EP: Xingying Peng
From conceptual planning to product selection and budgeting, lighting’s comprehensive nature keeps this designer with The Lighting Practice coming back for more.

Ask an EP: Bernadette Boudreaux
The technical operations manager for the DLC’s Solid-State Lighting Program plans to invest in the future by paying it forward.

Ask an EP: Shelby Klooster
The designer for Des Moines-based RDG Planning & Design welcomes the daily challenge of marrying creativity with evolving technology

Ask an EP: Chris J. Bishop
The president of Illumenedge, a Toronto-based horticultural lighting design agency, hopes his firm can be part of the solution to the global food crisis

Ask an EP: Mertcan Erdogan
Establishing a North American market for Turkey-based manufacturer Heper Lighting was a welcome challenge for the COO of the group’s new U.S. subsidiary

Ask an EP: Brady Nemeth
Brady Nemeth of Fluence Bioengineering talks to us about networked lighting and the importance of being up to date on industry jargon.

Ask an EP: Rinkinson Gohel
The lighting designer for Bliss Fasman Inc. in New York City reflects on the value of the local Section and the key to overcoming obstacles Why lighting? I went to

Ask an EP: Jonathan Brin
Jonathan Brin of Allen & Hoshall on how every project brings something new

Ask an EP: Kailey M. Lietzke
Why lighting? I really lucked into lighting. I went to the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) for architectural engineering, thinking that it would be very technical but that I would

Ask an EP: Mohit Lokane
Mohit Lokane of Hooker DeJong Inc. advocates for more research and awareness of light’s biological effects

Ask an EP: Thomas Patten
Thomas Patten of Blue Oak Energy on the meaning of projects that go beyond the dollar sign

Ask an EP: Krystle Smith
Krystle Smith of Illuminating Concepts on the dual challenge of managing projects and personalities, and the importance of laughter in the workplace

Ask an EP: Tony Esposito
How Tony Esposito landed in lighting, and why color discrimination landed on his radar

The Butterfly Effect with Darren Verasammy
Transitioning from student to Emerging Professional can be compared to a metamorphosis of sorts.