2016 40 Under 40: Jay Wratten, IALD, LC, MIES, 36

Jay Wratten, IALD, LC, MIES, 36

Senior Associate, WSP l Parsons Brinckerhoff, Boulder, Colo.

BS Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas

Wratten plays an integral role in WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s lighting design studio as part of the company’s national leadership and as a lead designer and project manager. Drawing on professional experience at the company and at a previous lighting design firm, he brings a wide array of skills that go far beyond his talent in aesthetic and technical design. Wratten moved to Boulder, Colo., to start offering lighting-design services from a newly-opened location for the firm after spending several years as a senior member of the team in San Francisco. After 4 years in Boulder, he has succeeded in quickly winning new work and growing the fledgling local group. When the long-time manager of the group in San Francisco left the firm, he immediately stepped in to lead the six-person group until a replacement was found, which took several months. He also devotes time and effort to several industry organizations including the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Next Generation Luminaire Competition. When the University of Colorado, Boulder needed funding for a new lighting lab, he helped lead the grant writing process-ultimately, the grant was approved. Wratten has played guitar for 20 years and has been a member of a number of bands. He also has started building recreations of classic guitar amps and panels, which he shares with friends and bandmates. An avid cyclist, he has been involved with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Boulder Mountainbike Alliance, including participation in Bike to Work days that seek to raise awareness and participation in biking as a main means of transportation. He enjoys spending time with his wife and 2-year-old son.

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