The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has named Cheryl R. English, LC, FIES, of Acuity Brands Lighting among the winners of its 2009 Kite & Key Award. English is vice president of Market and Industry Development for the Conyers, Ga.-based lighting manufacturer.

The Kite & Key Award recognizes individuals who advance the interests of the electrical industry through active and sustained involvement in the affairs of NEMA, an association of electrical and medical-imaging equipment manufacturers. 

English, who has served as chair of NEMA’s Lighting Division and has held various leadership positions in its Luminaire Section, was cited by the organization for a number of industry-leading efforts, including her role in a number of areas to define and promote federal energy-efficiency regulations. She directed, for example, the development of the LE5 standard for Federal Energy Management Program procurement guidelines, and she developed LE6, which defines a new energy metric for luminaires. Known as the Target Efficacy Rating, the metric was instrumental in the 2009 federal energy regulations for outdoor luminaires.

English established funding for the California Lighting Technology Center, working in collaboration with representatives from Osram Sylvania and Advance Transformer. She also is an advocate for NEMA-funded research to study the impact of light at night on human health. 

Vernon J. Nagel, Chairman, President and CEO of Acuity Brands, Inc., said the Kite & Key Award was a fitting tribute to English’s efforts to bridge the lighting-industry work between the public and private sectors.

“Cheryl’s tireless work to advance sustainable and energy efficient products, focusing on promoting underutilized technologies and advancing new innovations, has played a significant role in moving the industry forward,” he said. “She consistently works with an eye on a balanced goal of market transformation and public policy to improve our industry and promote environmental change.”

At Acuity Brands Lighting, English is responsible for market development, energy and sustainability programs, industry and government relations, education, and marketing research. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado. She is a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society.  She also holds a lighting certification from the National Council on Qualifications of the Lighting Professions.