Egos, Intuition, and Lumens:
Brian Maite, ALW, an LMPG Brand and Katie Hawk, FSA Lighting
Tuesday
April 14, 2026
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ET
April 14, 2026
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ET
Credits LU | Elective TBD
Intermediate
Architects sit at the center of design, balancing countless technical responsibilities with instinct & vision, and communicating it all in language that is uniquely “Architect”. This often creates communication gaps with lighting professionals. The combination of responsibility, ego, and distinct vernaculars can both challenge and drive project success. In this panel—composed of former architects and project managers, now in lighting—we will explore where disconnects arise, and the importance of bridging the language of lighting. By fostering collaboration with empathy and open-mindedness, rather than frustration, lighting and architecture can align more effectively, making complex projects not only manageable but genuinely rewarding.
Learning Objectives
- Learn the roles of an architect in the design and coordination process of projects
- Identify potential challenges of communication between specifiers and others in the lighting industry
- Analyze best practices for efficient and mutually beneficial collaboration
- Identify steps for their own projects to better the design process and create greater design results and experiences
Speakers
Brian Maite
Vice President and General Manager
ALW (Architectural Lighting Works), an LMPG Brand
Brian Maite is the Vice President and General Manager of ALW, bringing a well-rounded strategic perspective shaped by his experience as a specifier, distributor, agent, and manufacturer. Since joining ALW in 2024 as Vice President of Sales, he has drawn on a diverse leadership background, including roles as Director of Sales for Leviton Lighting Brands and Director of Pricing and Strategy at PG Enlighten. At MJ Electrical Supply, he served as Vice President, overseeing all business operations and launching both a Lighting and Gear Department and a national accounts program.
Brian began his career in lighting as an architect in the specification department at VDTA, an award-winning design firm in Chicago, where he led lighting design and project management. This deep, multi-channel expertise allows him to approach leadership with a comprehensive understanding of the market. He holds an MBA from Loyola University Chicago with concentrations in Economics, Finance, and Product Development, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati's College of DAAP.
Katie Hawk
Specification Sales
FSA Lighting
Katie Hawk is a specification sales rep at FSA Lighting, with a prior career in Architecture and Interior Design.
After 10+ years designing and managing projects ranging from permanent exhibits to U.S. Embassies, schools, and high-end residential projects, she transitioned into lighting.
Katie collaborates with Architects, Lighting Designers, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers to assist in lighting specifications and coordination.
With a deep-rooted background that parallels her clients', Katie often emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between the vernacular of Architecture and Lighting.
Katie’s work has been featured in publications such as Luxe Magazine and Arch Digest, numerous travel guides, and PBS.