Universal Lighting Technologies Promotes From Within for Sales Team

Nashville, Tennessee-based Universal Lighting Technologies, a supplier of LED lighting for a variety of applications, has made promotions to key positions within its sales organization in response to expanding channel growth.

Stu Sumner, formerly vice president of sales, West, has been promoted to vice president of North American distribution sales. Sumner boasts nearly three decades of experience within the lighting industry, and a wealth of sales management expertise, particularly around LED lighting, the company says.

Known for his knowledge of the retrofit market, Sumner will also additionally head up the company’s new Energy Team.

Tom Kim, formerly VP of sales, OEM West, sign and international sales channels, has been

promoted to VP of North American OEM sales. Universal says Kim’s sales, marketing, and business development experience in the lighting and electrical industry goes back more than two decades. In addition to his new position Kim will oversee the company’s team of field application engineers.

Eric Schlechtweg, previously senior regional sales manager, East, has been promoted to director of distribution, East. Schlechtweg has more than 25 years experience in the electrical products industry.

“At Universal, we highly value our longstanding team members and the in-depth knowledge, mentoring and skill they offer both internally and to our valued customers,” says Joe Damiani, executive VP of sales and marketing. “We make promoting our talent from within a top priority as our company continues to grow. These individuals make a substantial impact at Universal and we are pleased to encourage their growth into advanced leadership capacities.”

The company adds that the establishment of Sumner’s Energy Team comes on the heels of substantial growth in the retrofit market, as more business and property owners are recognizing that upgrading from fluorescent to LED technology can help control energy costs and reduce required maintenance. The Energy Team will work in conjunction with regional sales managers and nearly every department within the company to identify LED retrofit opportunities and support their successful implementation.