Terry McGowan announced that he will be retiring as the Director of Engineering at the American Lighting Association (ALA). McGowan has had a distinguished 60-year career in the lighting industry, marked by innovation, education, and leadership. He began his career at GE Lighting, where he worked for 38 years in roles such as lighting application engineer and later as Manager of the GE Lighting Institute. At the Institute, he played a pivotal role in training and educating thousands of professionals annually on advanced lighting technologies and applications.
In 1998, Terry retired from GE and founded his consulting firm, Lighting Ideas Inc., focusing on lighting research, education, and outdoor lighting applications. His work included collaborations with organizations like the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Geauga Parks District to promote sustainable lighting practices.
Terry joined the American Lighting Association (ALA) in 2003 as Director of Engineering, where he guided the industry through technological shifts such as the adoption of LEDs and modern safety standards. He also contributed significantly to initiatives like the “Better Light, Better Sleep” program. His expertise extended to serving on multiple technical committees for UL and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
A Fellow of IES and recipient of numerous awards, including induction into ALA’s Lighting Hall of Fame in 2024, Terry’s legacy is one of enduring impact on the lighting industry.
Mary Beth Gotti will assume Terry’s role as Director of Engineering at the ALA. She has nearly 40 years of experience in the lighting industry, primarily at GE Lighting. Just like McGowan, she managed the GE Lighting Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, for 18 years, overseeing its operations and curriculum development. The institute hosted over 4,000 visitors annually, providing training and education in lighting. She also chaired the prestigious GE Edison Awards for lighting design and conducted weekly customer webinars titled “Mondays @ Noon.”
Throughout her career at GE Lighting, Mary Beth held various technical and managerial roles, including Lamp Development Engineer, Research Physicist, Senior Product and Application Specialist, and Manager of Lighting Education. Her academic credentials include BS and MS degrees in Physics and an MBA from John Carroll University. She is also Lighting Certified (LC) by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP).
Mary Beth has made significant contributions to the industry, serving on the IES Board of Directors for five years and receiving the National Lighting Bureau’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Currently, she works as an independent lighting consultant and serves on the National Lighting Bureau’s Board of Directors, managing award programs like the NLB Tesla Award. Her efforts earned her the John Bachner Presidential Award in 2020.
As a co-chair of the ALA Engineering Committee, I have been mentored by Terry and I’m grateful for his generous leadership style, letting others shine while he delivers value to the Engineering Committee members. I wish Terry a long and happy retirement.
Image: Terry McGowan and Mary Beth Gotti
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