2014 40 Under 40: Brian K. Baumgartle, PE, LC, LEED AP, 39

Brian K. Baumgartle, PE, LC, LEED AP, 39
Principal, Electrical Engineer, Lighting Designer, CMTA, Louisville
University of Louisville, Ky., BS Electrical Engineering

Brian Baumgartle joined CMTA’s Louisville office in 2007 as an electrical engineer. In this job he incorporates both function and aesthetics. Whether it be an unusual design like the spiraled chandelier created for the CMTA headquarters in Louisville, or making a Kermit the Frog sculpture out of food cans for a charitable event, Baumgartle’s creativity is what makes him highly requested by architects during the design process. He places a unique emphasis on lighting and daylighting design, which has led him to work on a variety of projects across the country. Among these projects are the Richardsville Elementary School in Bowling Green, Ky., the first net-zero energy school in the U.S., and the Oldham County Library in Kentucky, which earned him the IES illumination award. Baumgartle understands the importance of specifying LEDs for cost-effective projects and quality of lighting; he has published a variety of articles in the field. His dynamic use of LEDs is evident when looking at the exterior of the Kosair Children’s Medical Center; he used LED lighting to illuminate the windows at night and create a ribbon light that follows the edge of a curving canopy to highlight the curves of this pediatric outpatient center in Kentucky. Baumgartle’s colleagues at CMTA identify him for his other leading role as “cookie dad” because of his involvement with Girl Scouts. Baumgartle has three children whom he shares with his high school sweetheart of 16 years. Because of his 11-year-old daughter’s autism diagnosis, Baumgartle is involved with Special Olympics and is a certified coach and lifeguard. He can be found every Friday night teaching swim lessons and working with the Clark County, Ind., Special Olympics competitive swim team. 

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