Leadership

A professional engineer and lighting designer, Mr. Ruud is nationally recognized for his expertise in the lighting industry. Mr. Ruud founded Ruud Lighting, Inc. in December of 1982 and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Since June 1999, he served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ruud Lighting, Inc. Mr. Ruud founded SPI Lighting, an HID lighting manufacturer, in 1973, which was sold to McGraw Edison in 1978. He managed SPI Lighting until 1982. From 1969 to 1979, he also ran a consulting and lighting engineering group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as Vice Chairman of Lighting at Cree, Inc. until October 27, 2015 and served as its Director from August 2011 to October 27, 2015. He served as Chairman of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Board of Regents, and also served on its Board of Regents starting in 1990. He served as a Director of Fiberstars, Inc. A professional engineer and lighting designer, he is nationally recognized for his expertise in the lighting industry. In addition to numerous patents for his innovative designs, he has received a number of awards including the Master Key to Success from MSOE in 1988 and was given an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from MSOE in 1998. Mr. Ruud received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.