Management

GEORGE PRESTON, Chief Executive Officer
As Permlight's chief executive officer, Preston is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and oversees all aspects of the company's product development and technology strategy. It is Preston's vision and passion that leads Permlight and its associated brands, Permlight for Signs and Brillia, in being the leading provider of light engines and modules to the signage and lighting industries. With more than thirty years of experience in executive management, Preston has an impeccable record of leading teams and divisions to unprecedented growth.

Prior to joining Permlight, Preston served as CEO of Burton Medical. As CEO he led the company in growth and leadership strategies. Preston brings over 25 years of executive experience in the lighting industry, having held the position of Vice President for Hubbell Inc.'s Architectural Area Lighting division. Hubbell is a $2.6 billion international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction, industrial and utility applications. Preston brought an impressive record of leadership success and was responsible for increasing business by 50 percent. He also served at Genlyte as Vice President of Day-Brite, a $200M division. Preston started his career at Philips Lighting Company.

Preston graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA from with a B.S. in Physics. He also earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickenson University in Madison, NJ. Preston holds a number of patents for his work in the lighting field.

KENNETH G. McCORD, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
As chief financial officer, McCord is responsible for the financial operations of the company including financing, corporate accounting, financial reporting, audit, tax, and risk management. McCord also participates in strategic planning and business development for growth opportunities and expansion.

McCord is a CPA with over 25 years of financial and executive management experience, with expertise in high technology manufacturing and distribution. Prior to joining Permlight, McCord was CFO for a $130 million distributor of lighting and electrical materials. McCord was also a senior finance manager in the corporate controllership group for Compaq Computer Corp. in Houston, TX before, during, and after the 2002 merger with Hewlett Packard Company (combined post-merger revenues of $80 billion). Prior to HP/Compaq, McCord was division controller for 2 divisions ($250 million) of BFI (Browning-Ferris Industries). McCord began his career with Marriott Corporation in Washington, DC where he obtained construction management experience with hotel projects ranging from $12 to $76 million. McCord also has experience in public accounting with a regional firm in southern California.

McCord is a CPA licensed in California and a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the California Society of CPA’s. McCord holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting from the University of South Carolina. McCord was an Air Force ROTC College Scholarship cadet and is a pilot rated 2nd lieutenant.

KAMRAN SARMADI, Vice President of Engineering
As VP of Engineering, Sarmadi is responsible for all product expansion and technical development for the Permlight Products, Inc. and its associated brands Brillia® LED Light Engines and Permlight for Signs.

Sarmadi has led companies from start up to fortune 500 in technical and operational roles, developing and executing growth strategies through new business development and operational excellence. Prior to joining Permlight, Sarmadi served as vice president of engineering and operations for Variant Technology/Variant LED. As general manager he led the engineering and operations for Opto-electronics division of Perkin Elmer Corporation where he implemented Lean-6-Sigma. Sarmadi brings over 25 years of technology management experience, having designed, patented and produced advanced optical systems, LED luminaries and electronic drivers. Sarmadi has patents pending for his work on dimmable LED lamps, LED lamps with internal power source and his work on development of Charging Systems for NiMH and Li+ batteries.

Actively involved in his community, Sarmadi is on the board of directors for the City of Arcadia Upper Rancho and is a board member of the projects team, Engineers Without Borders. He graduated from Lewis and Clark College of Oregon with a BS in Physics and a BS in Communications and received his MBA from Golden Gate University of San Francisco, school of High Technology Management.

GARY CHAVEZ, VP of Sales
As Vice President of Sales, Chavez is responsible for establishing international sales objectives and strategy to meet company objectives for Permlight For Signs. Chavez brings more than 27 years of senior management experience in both sales and operations. This diverse background has developed a distinctive business acumen which meshes well with the Permlight Management Team.

Chavez joins Permlight Products, Inc. after serving as Vice President Sales – National Accounts for Archipelago Lighting, Inc., an LED lamp and fixture manufacturer. Prior to joining Permlight, positions included Director of Sales for Xerox, Inc. where he grew the business by more than 22%, District Sales Manager and National Marketing Manager for the Business Services Division of Office Depot, Inc. where he won several awards and recognition over a 10 year period of time, Director of Operations for United Business Group and VP of Operations for RTO, Inc., both on a national level where he enjoyed double digit growth.

Throughout the years Chavez has been actively involved in his community as Cub Master in the Cub Scouts, Assistant Scout Master in the Boy Scouts, 8 years as a little league coach and manager, girls basketball, soccer, and softball coach and has served as a board member of the ARC Southbay, an organization committed to providing individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity in education, work, and supported living. Chavez targeted a degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Illinois. Chavez and his wife of 30 years reside in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. They have two grown adult children and enjoy their love for the ocean and their two Australian Shepherds.