Kichler's Jeffrey Dross promoted to corporate director of education and industry trends

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 1/20/2011 2:44:48 PM

CLEVELAND — Kichler Lighting has announced that Jeffrey Dross has been promoted to corporate director of education and industry trends. With more than 35 years of lighting experience, Dross will serve as Kichler's corporate trends analyst, media spokesperson and industry liaison as he continues to engage with key lighting, energy and design associations and professional groups.

Jeffrey DrossIn his new role, Dross also will expand Kichler's training efforts for sales representatives, customers, specifiers and other industry audiences.

"Jeff is a valuable contributor to Kichler's success, leadership and expansion," said Becky Ross, Kichler's vice president of marketing. "His expertise in industry trends and strategic thinking will continue to be an asset to our company and our customers."

Dross began his career in residential lighting when he first joined Kichler in 1974 as a part-time drafter. After earning a degree in architectural engineering in 1976, he was hired as a full-time engineer and later served as the company's engineering manager.

Dross has since been involved in many facets of the business. His product management roles have included introducing the first-ever energy efficient product line, creating the Kichler Builder line, overseeing Kichler's landscape product development, and most recently, serving as a senior product manager for the company's systems products. He also has held responsibilities in ERP implementation, graphics, production troubleshooting, international vendor communications and several other areas.

In addition to his work at Kichler, Dross currently serves as vice president of the Forest Hill Historic Preservation Society, covering an area where he resides in a 1930s French Norman home listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places. He writes and edits the Preservation Society and Forest Hill Homeowner newsletters. He is also the immediate past chair of the Manufacturers & Suppliers Advisory Committee of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.