Daniel Salinas has been in the electrical industry for 42 years, beginning as a residential lighting consultant with Belco Electric Supply in 1978, quickly progressing to showroom manager and eventually to commercial lighting designer and consultant for Design/Build electrical contracting firms, electrical engineers, interior designers and architects. In 1987 he joined Nelson Electric as Senior Designer/Project Manager for lighting and lighting control systems. The breadth of his design and project management experience spans both commercial and residential projects, specializing in complicated installations with new techniques of constructability and ease of maintenance. Commercial lighting control design has been his passion where working with integrated technology is a requirement. He has received two IESNA IIDA International Awards of Merit for his work on special project applications. In 2015 Dan retired from Nelson Electric to found Salinas Lighting Consult with the idea of expanding the concept of holistic design of lighting systems. 

Dan is involved in the volunteer and leadership arena where he has served on numerous committees and leadership positions within Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) culminating in that of IES President for 2013-2014 and continuing thru July of 2015 as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He continues to serve as a member of various IES committees and task groups. In addition, he served the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professions (NCQLP) as Chair of the Certification Renewal Committee, is on the Board of Directors for the National Lighting Controls Training Program, and a voting member of the ASHRAE SSPC100 Existing Buildings Committee. Dan and his wife Melonie live in Snohomish, WA where they are involved in their church and community.