Bill Ellis is an industry expert in lighting systems integration and is very proud of Candela Controls Inc.’s enduring history. He is a member of IES, the Illuminating Engineering Society , and sits on its Theatre, Television and Film Advisory Committee and Museum Lighting Committee. Bill is also a member of Control Protocols Workgroup for ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association. He is a Certified Low-Voltage Systems Specialty Contractor in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island.

Throughout his tenure, Bill’s knowledge and experience has garnered him respect in the industry for his innovative thinking and problem-solving approach to the unusual project. Some of his most challenging projects include: The Sky Church and Artists Journey at Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA; The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, IL; The Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at The Kennedy Space Center, FL; and The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD. In addition, there have been over 19 casino projects in 7 states, the Bahamas, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as multiple themed projects for the Walt Disney World Company, SeaWorld Entertainment, and Universal Orlando.

Bill has been approached more frequently to participate in panel discussions, seminars and workshops that have ranged from industry fundamentals to DMX512 to PoE. He has received positive reviews from LightFair International, LDI and IES, for his ability to present complicated content in a cohesive and unbiased way. He also present at IALD Enlighten Americas 2019 in Albuquerque, NM and at NATEAC 2020 in New York.

Bill is also dedicated to community service in Florida as well as giving back to the industry at large. He has been a volunteer reservist with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department in Central Florida since 2003, primarily photographing scenes to use for marketing, training and investigational purposes. Bill holds a BFA degree in Lighting and Audio from the North Carolina School of the Arts and has participated in several of the school’s job fairs and has taught a masters class there as well. Also, Candela Controls has been proud to sponsor the industry charity, Behind the Scenes, since 2014. The charity supports entertainment technology professionals who have fallen on hard times. Go to www.lrlr.org for more information.

Business credits and recognitions include Co-founder and Owner of Candela Controls, Inc. since 1999; Systems Integrator VANCO Lighting; Systems Engineer BASH Lighting South; Master Electrician, Walt Disney’s World on Ice; PLASA’s Volunteer of the Year 2014; and an Archi-Tech award winner for Technology Integration in 2010 for the Carolina Herrera store in Las Vegas, NV.

Bill has two daughters, Rachel and Alexandra, and resides in Montverde, FL with his wife, Jocelyn.