Introducing Our Team

The heart of New Star Lighting is our exceptional team, combining decades of experience with a passion for innovation. Founded in 1971 by Paul Ohadi, our company evolved from a metal fabrication shop into a leading lighting manufacturer. Under the leadership of John Pena since 2013, we have expanded our product offerings across various specialized markets, including cleanroom, transportation, and healthcare.

Our dedicated craftsmen, many with over 30 years of service, work within our state-of-the-art, seven-floor factory in Chicago. Here, we control every step of the production process, ensuring the highest quality and craftsmanship. Our team collaborates closely with the design community to deliver customized, cutting-edge lighting solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Leadership

John Peña, PhD President/Partner

John Peña, PhDPresident/Partner

773.847.1400

jpena@newstarlighting.com

John Peña, President and Partner at New Star Lighting, brings over 26 years of industry experience and 12 years of leadership within the company. With a background in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, an MBA in International Business, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, John blends technical expertise with strategic vision to drive innovation and growth.

Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family, balancing his professional and personal life with dedication and passion.

Colette Fleming Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Colette FlemingExecutive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

847.644.2713

cfleming@newstarlighting.com

Colette Fleming is the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at New Star Lighting, bringing 30 years of experience in driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships. With a deep understanding of the lighting industry, Colette plays a key role in product innovation, market expansion, and strategic partnerships, ensuring New Star Lighting continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions across various sectors.

Throughout her career, Colette has held leadership roles with prominent lighting manufacturers, specializing in healthcare and custom lighting solutions. She has led sales teams, managed product development, and driven market expansion, bringing extensive expertise in specification sales and strategic growth initiatives.

Jeff Stano Vice President of Operations

Jeff StanoVice President of Operations

773.733.7740

jstano@newstarlighting.com

Jeff Stano is the Vice President of Operations at New Star Lighting, bringing over a decade of leadership within the company and nearly 20 years of experience in manufacturing and process engineering. Since joining New Star Lighting in 2015, he has played a key role in optimizing operations, improving manufacturing efficiency, and driving process innovation.

Prior to New Star Lighting, he spent nearly 10 years at Honeywell’s System Sensor division as a Manufacturing Process Engineer III, where he specialized in PCB assembly, automation, and lean manufacturing practices. He holds certifications in Surface Mount Technology and Six Sigma Green Belt, reflecting his commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Rosa Stotts Director of Office & Procurement

Rosa StottsDirector of Office & Procurement

773.847.1400 Ext 2000

orders@newstarlighting.com

Rosa Stotts is the Director of Customer Support and Procurement at New Star Lighting, bringing two decades of experience in operations and client relations. She leads the customer service, purchasing, and accounting teams, ensuring seamless collaboration between departments to meet customer needs with efficiency and care. With a strong focus on process improvement and service excellence, Rosa plays a crucial role in optimizing operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.

In her free time, Rosa enjoys baking, spending time with her family, and relaxing at the beach.

Outside sales

Deniz Nolff East Coast Regional Sales Manger

Deniz NolffEast Coast Regional Sales Manger

407.808.3774

dnolff@newstarlighting.com

Deniz Nolff is the Southeast Regional Sales Manager at New Star Lighting, working alongside Mary Minoff in preparation for her retirement at the end of 2024. With over 20 years of experience in distribution, agency sales, and manufacturing, Deniz brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a specialized focus on healthcare lighting. Her expertise in this sector allows her to provide clients with tailored, high-performance lighting solutions designed to meet the unique demands of healthcare environments.

Paige Torres-Toujouse Central Regional Sales Manger

Paige Torres-ToujouseCentral Regional Sales Manger

504.220.2069

ptoujouse@newstarlighting.com

Paige Torres-Toujouse is the Central U.S. Regional Sales Manager, overseeing 12 states as well as the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Based in New Orleans, Paige has extensive experience in specification sales, collaborating with architects, designers, and engineers to deliver energy-efficient lighting solutions. Her deep understanding of the industry and commitment to sustainability make her a valuable resource for clients seeking innovative and effective lighting designs.

Tricia McGrath West Coast Regional Sales Manger

Tricia McGrathWest Coast Regional Sales Manger

559.917.2899

tmcgrath@newstarlighting.com

Tricia is an experienced Regional Sales Manager with over a decade in the lighting industry. She has held key roles at TCP Lighting, B-K Lighting, and Teka Illumination, where she built and expanded territories through strategic data analysis, marketing initiatives, and strong client relationships. Her background in specification sales spans the hospitality, commercial, and residential sectors, allowing her to deliver tailored lighting solutions that enhance both functionality and design.

A California native, Tricia currently resides in the foothills of Central California. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new industry trends, collaborating on innovative projects, and finding inspiration in beautifully illuminated spaces.

Inside sales support

Juan Lopez Quotations Manager

Juan LopezQuotations Manager

773.847.1400 Ext 2029

quotes@newstarlighting.com

Juan Lopez brings over 40 years of experience in the lighting industry. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive expertise in pricing strategies, project quoting, and product knowledge across various lighting applications. His deep understanding of industry trends, manufacturing processes, and customer needs allows him to provide accurate and efficient support to sales teams and clients.

A lifelong Chicago sports fan, he enjoys cheering on his favorite teams and staying connected to the city’s vibrant sports culture.

Rolando Ayala Inside Sales/Tech Support

Rolando AyalaInside Sales/Tech Support

773.847.1400 Ext 2006

tech@newstarlighting.com

Rolando has been immersed in the lighting industry since 2000, with 15 years of experience in engineering and application design at North Star Lighting. Specializing in lighting layouts for building façades, sports facilities, roadways, tunnels, stadiums, and parking lots, he brings a technical and detail-oriented approach to every project. As a key resource for application design solutions and pre-sales technical support, he collaborates closely with engineering, quoting, and sales teams to ensure seamless project execution. He also manages the photometric library and Revit file content while utilizing AGI and Toolbox software to create precise lighting designs.

Outside of work, he enjoys coaching little league baseball and spending time with his German Shepherd, Osita.

Customer service

Rosario Saldivar Order Entry & Customer Service Manager

Rosario SaldivarOrder Entry & Customer Service Manager

773.847.1400 Ext 2002

orders@newstarlighting.com

Rosario Saldivar is a dedicated Customer Service Manager with over a decade of experience ensuring exceptional client support. With a passion for problem-solving and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, Rosario excels in creating positive customer experiences and fostering lasting relationships. Her ability to resolve concerns efficiently and provide effective solutions makes her an invaluable member of the New Star Lighting team.

When she's not at work, Rosario cherishes time with her growing family, making memories and enjoying life's special moments.

Marketing

Christina Peña Marketing Manager

Christina PeñaMarketing Manager

773.847.1400 Ext 2075

cpena@newstarlighting.com

Christina Peña is the Marketing Manager at New Star Lighting, where she has been an integral part of the team for over five years. Since joining as a Marketing Coordinator in 2020, she has played a key role in developing strategic campaigns, enhancing brand presence, and executing field marketing initiatives, including industry events and trade shows.

With a strong background in marketing and communications, she has experience in branding, event planning, and digital marketing across various industries. Her expertise in coordinating marketing efforts and driving industry engagement helps strengthen New Star Lighting’s presence in the market.

Engineering

Jamal Carrington Director of Business Development Specials Engineering

Jamal CarringtonDirector of Business Development Specials Engineering

773.847.1400

jcarrington@newstarlighting.com

Jamal Carrington is the Director of Business Development – Specials Engineering at New Star Lighting, bringing over 20 years of experience in the lighting industry. In this newly created role, Jamal works closely with Sales, Engineering, Agents, Contractors, and end users to evaluate custom requests and identify opportunities for new product families.

With a strong background in product design and business development, Jamal plays a key role in expanding New Star’s offerings through innovative, customer-driven solutions. His collaborative approach and deep industry insight make him a valuable asset as the company continues to grow and evolve.

Walter Mayorga Engineering Manager

Walter MayorgaEngineering Manager

773.847.1400 Ext 2032

wmayorga@newstarlighting.com

Walter Mayorga is the Engineering Manager at New Star Lighting, bringing over a decade of experience in lighting design and engineering. Since joining the company in 2022, he has led product development and innovation efforts, ensuring high-quality, efficient lighting solutions.

Prior to New Star Lighting, he spent 11 years as a Senior Project Designer, where he specialized in designing and developing architectural lighting products. His deep technical expertise and commitment to engineering excellence play a vital role in New Star Lighting’s continued growth and innovation.