By: Ashmar Mandou
Little Village native John Pena’s ingenuity and inquisitive disposition lights up his community. Literally. Pena is the President and General Manager of New Star Lighting, a division of 555 International and leading manufacturer of quality driven luminaries for over 30 years. “I welcome challenges. I welcome the opportunities that unfold to truly create fixtures that are useful to the city of Chicago, to hospitals, to businesses,” said Pena. New Star Lighting has certainly presented Pena with such challenges as each day requires an unmeasurable amount of attention.
New Star Lighting built its business on superior customer service, flexibility and products engineered for challenging environments. New Star Lighting market segments include confinement, high abuse, vandal resistant architectural, cleanroom and healthcare. The company meet’s the demands of the market with the ability to modify and customize most fixtures to the specification of the customer utilizing the most energy efficient light sources available. “What I love most about my position at New Star Lighting is the fact that it is a collaborative effort. When you walk through the doors, you are part of a family. We are a team; no man is a single island,” said Pena. “The fundamental principle of a successful business is treating your employees like family, which is something that was instilled in me from very young. That and the importance of education.” Pena has a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Stanford University, received an MBA in International Business from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Mechanical from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“I always loved education and always sought out opportunities to learn more. So that led me to work outside of Chicago in several other cities. Those experiences helped me develop my leadership qualities and I am so grateful to be able to bring my experiences back to Chicago.” Pena specializes in high-growth commercial expansion with a focus on the development of enduring customer and partner relationships, while delivering innovative new products. His experience includes a broad and deep understanding of strategy and organizational development, and successfully creates new technologies for customers across all channels and cultures.
“As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to remind youth to not be afraid of challenges. Instead, welcome them and learn, especially if you foresee yourself in leadership positions,” said Pena. “Seek out opportunities, opportunities that aren’t necessarily in Chicago. That would be my advice for youth who are interested in pursuing a career similar to my own. My advice would be to envision what you want in life and seek out those opportunities that will help you attain your goals. And take what you learn and bring them back home to teach the younger generation.”
