Team

Solais Lighting is an innovative LED manufacturing company with a solid team of lighting industry leaders, advisors, investors and support staff. Below is a list of the executive team behind Solais (read the latest article on the team here).




 
James Leahy | james.leahy@solais.com
 
James was CEO and President of Wiedenbach-Brown, the nation’s largest specialty lighting distribution company from 2002 to 2007. James joined Wiedenbach-Brown as controller in 1996. In his capacity as controller and later CFO, James also oversaw the development of the Company’s industry leading IT systems. He was promoted to CEO of Wiedenbach-Brown in 2002 and assumed the title of President after the Company’s acquisition by USESI (a Private Equity backed industry roll-up) in 2006. From 2002 to 2007, the Company’s sales quadrupled, profits increased tenfold, the client base more than tripled and WB positioned itself as the premier specialty lighting distributor in the Unites States. Prior to joining Wiedenbach-Brown, James worked for KPMG as a Senior Accountant where he planned, coordinated and administered audit engagements for public and privately held companies in the manufacturing, importing, distribution, retailing and biotechnology industries. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, a MBA from Columbia University and is a certified public accountant. 


Dr. Steve Johnson, PhD, Chief Technology Officer | steve.johnson@solais.com
 
Steve was Group Leader for the Lighting Research Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (“LBNL”) in Berkeley, California from 1996 to 2006. The Lighting Research Group performs research into light sources and ballasts, lighting controls, light distribution systems, and human factors. Research at LBNL is principally focused on technologies that will improve the efficiency of current practice for both residential and commercial applications of lighting. After joining LBNL, Dr. Johnson shifted the emphasis in light source development at the laboratory from discharge lamps to solid state devices. He directed research in the area of both LEDs and OLEDs. Prior to LBNL, Dr. Johnson has 25 years of experience in the lighting industry, including holding positions as Chairman of the Board of Advanced Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Suzhou, PRC), President of Mitor Industries (Mankato, MN) and Director of Fluorescent Product Management for Philips Lighting Company (Somerset, NJ). He received his BS from Furman University, his Ph.D. from University of Tennessee, and held a post-Doctoral appointment at Yale University. 

 
Glenn Bordfeld, VP of Sales | glenn.bordfeld@solais.com 
 
Glenn was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Juno Lighting Group from 2001 thru March of 2007. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer for Juno Lighting, Inc. from 1998 thru 2001 and as a member of the Board of Directors from 1991 thru 2002. Glenn’s career in lighting includes 24 years with Juno in various sales, marketing and management positions. He led the company to multi-million dollars in sales and profit growth. He also led the development of numerous innovative products including slope ceiling downlights and white baffles. His leadership drove significant sales and profit increases throughout his career at Juno. Glenn is a graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH.
 
 
Rich Stam, National Director of Sales | rich.stam@solais.com 
 
Rich was Vice President of U.S. Sales for Alico Industries from October 2006 thru September 2010. Prior to that, Rich was Vice President of Sales for Juno Lighting, Inc. from 1999 thru September 2006. Rich also served as National Sales Manager for Juno Lighting, Inc from 1997 through 1999 and Canadian National Sales Manager from 1993 thru 1997. Rich’s 30 year career in lighting sales includes various sales and sales management positions with lighting distribution and manufacturers. 20 years of Rich’s career were spent with Juno Lighting, Inc., where Rich, along with his sales team, contributed to the significant growth of the company.
 
 
George Stroumboulis, Director of Marketing | george@solais.com 
 
George was the National Marketing Manager of Wiedenbach-Brown (WB) from 2006 to 2010. While at WB, George created and implemented many new marketing initiatives and sales tools that strengthened the corporate message and the overall WB brand. Over the course of the 4 years, George implemented projects that were recognized through industry marketing awards – TED (The Electrical Distributor) Magazine’s Best-of-the-Best marketing award for best new publication in 2008 and best integrated marketing campaign in 2009. Prior to joining Wiedenbach-Brown, George worked for an executive consulting firm in Ireland, the European Union Business Development Agency in Greece and started his own branding firm, BouliBrand Marketing, in Canada. He has worked across a broad range of industries and lived in various markets including, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Canada and the United States. George is a graduate of Brock University in Ontario, Canada.