Bill Ellis, Candela Controls, Inc. | Mitch Hefter, Mitch Hefter Consulting
Location: Sutton South
Tuesday, April 13, 2027
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm ET
Credits TBA
Intermediate
As advanced lighting control systems become increasingly common in building designs, the requirements for controlling emergency lighting has also evolved. In response, codes and standards have been updated over the past few years to reflect these changes. Our presenters will provide an overview of the relevant codes and standards, highlight key considerations for designers and engineers, and discuss practical elements to include in specifications and drawings.
Learning Objectives
- In the alphabet soup of codes and standards, what are they, and how they apply here in the United States
- Bypass or Transfer, the what and the how
- New code requirements for the control side of emergency lighting in systems
- How to make it work-on paper, and in the field
Speakers
Bill Ellis
President
Candela Controls, Inc.
Bill Ellis began his career while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Lighting and Audio from the North Carolina School of the Arts. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and sits on its Lighting Control Systems and Museum and Art Gallery Lighting Committees. Bill is also member of Control Protocols Workgroup for ESTA, and is an alternate member to Code Making Panel 18 of the National Electrical Code for ESTA. A leader in systems integration, Mr. Ellis is a Certified Low Voltage Systems Specialty Contractor in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Ellis has gained experience and respect in the industry for his innovative thinking and problem-solving approach to the unusual project. Some of his most challenging projects include: the Sky Church and Artists Journey at Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA; the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, IL; the Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at The Kennedy Space Center, FL; and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD. In addition, there have been over 22 casino projects in 7 states, the Bahamas, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as multiple themed projects for the Walt Disney World Company and SeaWorld Entertainment.
Mr. Ellis is also dedicated to community service. He has been a volunteer reservist with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department in Central Florida since 2003, photographing scenes to use for marketing, training and investigational purposes.
Business credits and recognitions include Owner of Candela Controls Inc. since 1999; Systems Integrator VANCO Lighting; Systems Engineer BASH Lighting South; Master Electrician, Walt Disney’s World on Ice; PLASA’s Volunteer of the Year 2014; and an Archi-Tech award winner for Technology Integration in 2010 for the Carolina Herrera store in Las Vegas, NV.
Mr. Ellis resides just outside of Orlando, FL with his wife and two daughters.
Mitch Hefter
Principal
Mitch Hefter Consulting
Mitch Hefter has been working in lighting controls for over 45 years. He has played a major role in setting entertainment technology standards, developing certification for entertainment industry electricians, and is a Certified Entertainment Electrician and Recognized Trainer. He is a founding member of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) Technical Standards Program (ANSI E1) and serves on its Technical Standards Council. He co-chairs the ESTA Electrical Power Working Group and is a member of two other Working Groups. Mitch was instrumental in the development of USITT DMX512 in 1986 and chairs ESTA’s ANSI E1.11 USITT DMX512-A Task Group.
Mitch chairs the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Control Systems committee and has worked on several IES standards. Mitch is an IES Fellow and a member of the IES Standards Committee.
Mitch is a USITT Fellow, a USITT Founders Award recipient, a past Engineering Commissioner, and was awarded Honorary Lifetime USITT Membership in 2014. Mitch is the recipient of USITT’s 2027 Distinguished Achievement Award in Engineering.
Mitch has worked on updates to the National Electrical Code® since 1981 and has been representing IES on NEC Panel 15 since 1997. He was appointed the USITT Alternate on NEC Panel 13 in 2022. He is also a member of UL’s Technical Committee for UL 924 – Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment.