Lighting Science Group Adds International Expert
By Space Coast Daily // May 8, 2012
Unique Perspective
BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA – Lighting Science Group has announced the addition of K.R. (Kaj) den Daas, a leading figure in the worldwide lighting industry to the company’s board of directors.
“I believe that Kaj’s wealth of industry knowledge and know-how will be vital as the Company continues to experience rapid growth and lead the global lighting technology sector,” said Jim Haworth, chairman and chief executive officer of Lighting Science Group, which is North America’s largest LED bulb manufacturer and headquartered in Satellite Beach.
From 1977 to 2010, den Daas served in various capacities with Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., including stints as Chairman of Philips Lighting North America and CEO of BU Professional Luminaires North America, COO of BG Lamps, Executive Vice-President of Philips Lighting B.V, and CEO of Philips’ Business Unit.
“I am extremely proud and excited to join the board of this innovative company,” said Kaj den Daas. “Working with Lighting Science Group’s world-class management team and other board members we will continue to change the way the world uses and experiences light.”
Since 2010, he has been the owner of Dasio Consulting, a Netherlands-based consulting firm which provides strategic advice to an array of electrical industry clients in North America and Europe.
“I am extremely proud and excited to join the board of this innovative company,” said Kaj den Daas. “Working with Lighting Science Group’s world-class management team and other board members we will continue to change the way the world uses and experiences light.”
He has served since January 2011 as an independent member of the Boards of Directors of iWatt, a leader in Power IC’s for a.o. lighting applications; LUXIM Corp., a world leader in plasma technology lighting solutions; and GLO AB, a development-stage VC-backed company active in nano technology LED’s.
In October 2004, he was named as an Independent Director of Valmont Industries Inc., the world leader in engineered support structures and services for infrastructure and water management for agriculture, where he also serves as Member of the Audit Committee and International Committee.
Craig Cogut, founder and managing partner of Pegasus Capital Advisors, the majority shareholder in Lighting Science Group, said the addition of such a prominent person to the Lighting Science Group’s board is significant.
“We are honored to have Kaj as a new board member and I believe that it is an endorsement of the company’s very bright future,” Cogut said.
Kaj den Daas holds a doctoral degree in Business Economics form Erasmus University of Rotterdam and completed coursework at Harvard Business School, the London Business School and INSEAD’s Advanced Management Program.
He is a member of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America and from 2008 to 2010 served as Governor of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. He’s also the recipient of the Stansilaw Staszic Medal from the Government of Pila, Poland.
