Meet The Lighting Practice’s (TLP) office directors, leading the firm’s lighting design talent and national presence. From Chicago to Dallas, and New York to Philadelphia, each office reflects the unique character of its city, guided by the expertise of TLP’s Directors – Brian Wiley, Jered Widmer, Thomas Bergeron, and Jonathan Hoyle. Get to know the leaders shaping TLP and driving design excellence across the country!
Brian Wiley, LC, MIES, Design IALD – Director of the Chicago Office
Brian joined The Lighting Practice as a Senior Lighting Designer in 2022, and in 2024 he led the expansion of the firm’s Chicago office. With a background in Interior Architecture and Psychology, he brings a unique perspective to lighting design. Recognized by Lighting Magazine’s 40under40 class of 2021 for his leadership in lighting design, he specializes in facade, historic renovation, and hospitality projects. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Brian crafts transformative lighting solutions that elevate the built environment and enhance the user experience.
What is the best thing about your job?
Hands down—my team at The Lighting Practice. From day one, the leadership and admin teams have been nothing short of incredible, especially in helping me launch our Chicago office (no small feat!).
Our designers? They’re rockstars. They consistently deliver high-quality work, show up with great attitudes, and meet every challenge with creativity and collaboration. It makes you excited to come to work and bring your best every day.
What’s something about working in Chicago that never gets old?
It’s the unbeatable combination of architecture and lakefront living. As a lighting designer, getting to work on some of Chicago’s most iconic buildings, it feels like a career highlight in motion. The city’s architecture is endlessly inspiring.
But what really makes it special is how close the creative energy of the city is to the calm of the lake. I bike the lakefront trail, play beach volleyball, and spend plenty of off-hours at the beach, sometimes just steps from the buildings I’m helping bring to life.
If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be?
Delivering top-tier Midwestern small talk—with weather metaphors and dad jokes locked and loaded. It’s not the kind of skill you list on a résumé, but around here? It’s conversational gold.
Jered Widmer, IALD, CLD, MIES – Director of the Dallas Office
Jered Widmer joined The Lighting Practice in 2001 upon graduation from The Pennsylvania State University. Head of TLP’s Dallas office, he has been designing architectural lighting for corporate, retail, historic, hospitality, education, healthcare, and places of worship. The diverse work in these sectors allows him to merge creative principles and techniques to enhance the user environment for a more successful project. He educates clients and team members through a collaborative design process, facilitating a better understanding of the impact of lighting.
Why did you become a lighting designer?
My brain is cross-wired with a love for engineering and the intrigue of creativity and exploration. I found that lighting allows me to explore both aspects – using technology, research, and science to create unique and new experiences. Each project is a new challenge, but each uses core principles.
What is your favorite thing about working in Dallas?
I enjoy the people most. After living in Philadelphia for so long, I’ve noticed a different mindset that I jive with more – it’s more my pace and a fresh perspective on personal interconnections.
If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be?
I would love to master the ability to learn a foreign language. There’s a beauty in different languages. When I travel, being able to immerse myself in the culture includes speaking the language.
Thomas C. Bergeron MIES, USITT– Director of the New York Office
Thomas Bergeron joined The Lighting Practice in 2019 as Director of TLP’s New York team, leading the expansion of that location and developing its talented team. His career in lighting design has afforded him the opportunity to work on a wide variety of project types throughout North America, Middle East, and Asia. He has designed lighting solutions for corporate, exhibit and museum, government, retail, exterior site, and building façades, as well as daylighting design integration and master planning. In 2019, as part of the 40under40 awards, he was recognized by Lighting Magazine for his leadership in lighting design.
What is the best thing about your job?
Collaborating with creative clients and our talented team. I enjoy bringing the right people and ideas together to solve unique challenges. Every project is different, and that constant change keeps me engaged. The ability to shape how people experience a space through light is something I never take for granted.
What is your favorite thing about working in New York?
The city is never static. Every neighborhood, every street feels alive and constantly evolving. You can walk down the same block one month later and notice something completely different. It keeps you on your toes and inspires fresh thinking in unexpected ways. Never a dull moment.
What is your favorite hidden gem in NYC that tourists always miss?
A ferry ride at sunset. It’s simple, affordable, and offers one of the best views of the city. There’s something calming about being on the water, watching the skyline shift with the light. Most people overlook it, but it’s one of the best ways to reset.
Jonathan Hoyle – Director of the Philadelphia Office
Jonathan Hoyle joined The Lighting Practice in 2008 after completing his Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design at the University of Illinois. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2019, then Principal in 2022. During his tenure at TLP, Jon has experience with a variety of project types including corporate, education, exterior facades, historic interiors and exteriors, hospitality, public spaces, and a variety of transportation environments. He was recognized by Lighting Magazine for his leadership in lighting design as a 40under40 class of 2020. When not at work, he can often be found riding his bike through the city streets or along wooded trails.
What is the best thing about your job?
The same thing as when I started. I like the people I work with. That umbrella has grown over the years as it now includes TLP staff and clients.
What is your favorite thing about working in Philadelphia?
Cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, the walkability of the city, the size of the city.
If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be?
I’m going to choose two. 1. Juggling 5+ objects consistently. I can do 5 balls for usually 10-ish catches, but then it falls apart. Sometimes I get lucky and get 20+ but that has been my ceiling for the past 20+ years. 2. Bunny hops on my bike. I can get over a lot of obstacles when I mountain bike, but I’ve never mastered the art of doing it smoothly.
With offices in Chicago, Dallas, New York, and Philadelphia, TLP’s office directors bring local insight and diverse experience to each office. They continue to drive design excellence across the country through careful listening, collaboration, and dedication to achieving clients’ visions.
