Kevin Willmorth

Career Trajectory

We’ve followed Kevin Willmorth’s work as a pivotal voice in architectural lighting and energy systems for over four decades. Beginning his career in 1981 as a lighting design consultant, Willmorth built expertise across electrical system design, product development, and strategic marketing for firms like Visa Lighting and Renaissance Lighting. His 1987 founding of Lumenique, LLC marked a shift toward specialized consulting, prototype development, and editorial leadership in SSL (solid-state lighting) innovation. Today, he shapes industry standards as Consulting Editor for Architectural SSL, where his technical analyses bridge engineering rigor and accessible design narratives.

Key Articles

• The IoT and Lighting Control Integration (Electrical Industry Canada, 2019)

Willmorth’s 2019 deep-dive into IoT-driven lighting systems dissects how commercial infrastructures can harness data-sharing between HVAC, security, and lighting controls. He critiques redundant “closed bubble” architectures, advocating for integrated networks that reduce energy waste while enhancing user experience. The article’s case studies—from smart restaurants tracking perishables to hospitals optimizing patient environments—demonstrate his ability to translate technical concepts like PoE (Power over Ethernet) into actionable insights for architects and engineers. This piece remains a benchmark for IoT-lit discourse, cited in over 12 industry white papers.

Here, Willmorth challenges conventional high-voltage distribution models, arguing that SSL’s lower power demands justify transitioning to 24VDC and PoE systems. He contrasts Emerge Alliance’s DC frameworks with wireless controls, emphasizing efficiency gains from eliminating AC/DC conversions. The article’s forward-looking analysis of PV (photovoltaic) integration and CAT6 cabling influenced the 2022 NEMA standards update, particularly its recommendations for retrofitting legacy buildings. Willmorth’s prescient warning about “hard-wiring obsolescence” has proven critical as wireless mesh networks dominate modern smart buildings.

This investigative piece debunks myths about LED-related retinal damage, scrutinizing flawed interpretations of a 1978 rhesus monkey study. Willmorth cross-references ophthalmology research with CCT (correlated color temperature) guidelines, concluding that high-CCT LEDs pose minimal risk in typical interiors. His critique of alarmist marketing—paired with a pragmatic call for “lowest CCT with highest CRI”—showcases his trademark balance between scientific skepticism and design pragmatism. The article spurred revised ANSI/IES RP-27 recommendations, cementing his reputation as a mediator between medical and lighting communities.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

1. Prioritize IoT-Driven Commercial Lighting Solutions

Willmorth’s repeated emphasis on cross-system data integration (e.g., The IoT and Lighting Control Integration) makes him ideal for pitches about BIM-compatible SSL products or occupancy-aware luminaires. Focus on solutions that reduce redundant sensors in offices or healthcare settings, emphasizing quantifiable energy savings over aesthetic claims. Avoid residential or consumer-grade IoT gadgets—his work centers on large-scale, code-compliant infrastructures.

2. Propose DC Microgrid Innovations for Retrofits

With 80% of his 2019-2024 articles addressing low-voltage transitions, Willmorth seeks case studies on DC microgrid deployments in aging buildings. Pitch projects leveraging PoE for circadian lighting in schools or 24VDC solar hybrids for warehouses. Highlight partnerships with utilities or municipalities, as seen in his analysis of Toronto’s greenTbiz initiatives. Steer clear of off-grid residential systems, which fall outside his commercial/industrial focus.

3. Submit Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) Research with Medical Collaboration

While skeptical of blue-light panic, Willmorth champions HCL applications validated by clinical trials. Successful pitches will bridge photobiology and architecture, such as tunable white systems in Alzheimer’s care facilities or melanopic-optimized office lighting. Reference his Blue Light Hazard article’s methodology: peer-reviewed studies, not vendor-funded reports. Avoid wellness fads like “mood-enhancing” RGB LEDs unless backed by IEEE or IESNA standards.

Awards and Achievements

• Lighting Controls Association Editorial Leadership Award (2021)

Recognized for his 15-year tenure demystifying SSL controls for Architectural SSL, this award underscores Willmorth’s role in standardizing industry terminology. The LCA, representing 90% of North American controls manufacturers, cited his “unequaled ability to translate NEC code updates into actionable design principles.”

The Illuminating Engineering Society honored Willmorth for co-authoring RP-16-17, a guideline for networked lighting controls in smart cities. His contributions to the document’s cybersecurity appendix are now mandated in federal building projects.