Industry veteran brings expertise in lighting control and product design to drive DMF’s next phase of growth
CARSON, Calif. — Sept. 3, 2025 — DMF Lighting, the leader in modular lighting in the technology integration channel,today announced the appointment of Charlie Derk as Senior Director of Product Strategy. In this new role, Derk will lead DMF’s product roadmap and innovation strategy, driving the continued development of cutting-edge lighting solutions designed to elevate performance, aesthetics, and integration for the smart home industry.
With more than 25 years of experience in the luxury residential and architectural lighting industries, Derk brings a unique blend of engineering expertise, market insight, and customer-driven innovation. He has held leadership positions at Legrand, Crestron Electronics, Doherty Design Group, and Lutron Electronics, where he was instrumental in shaping product portfolios and introducing advanced lighting control and automated shading solutions.
“Charlie’s deep understanding of the lighting and shading landscape and his proven ability to deliver transformative technologies make him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Rushi Kumar, VP of Engineering at DMF Lighting. “As we continue to redefine the possibilities of modular lighting, his vision and experience will accelerate our mission to deliver products that combine unmatched performance with seamless integration.”
Derk joins DMF Lighting following his most recent role as Vice President of Strategy for Legrand’s Building Control Systems division, where he oversaw long-term strategic planning, product innovation, and M&A initiatives. Earlier in his career, he helped pioneer shading solutions at Crestron, designed sophisticated lighting control systems with Doherty Design Group, and contributed to the development of the HomeWorks platform at Lutron.
“I’m thrilled to join DMF Lighting at such an exciting time in its growth,” said Derk. “The company’s dedication to engineering excellence and its reputation for innovation align perfectly with my passion for creating solutions that empower integrators, designers, and homeowners. I’m especially excited to reunite with former colleagues I’ve built great products with in the past, and to do it again here at DMF as we push the boundaries of what’s possible in lighting design.”
Derk’s appointment underscores DMF Lighting’s commitment to expanding its leadership in high-performance, modular lighting and further strengthens the company’s position as a trusted partner for integrators, architects, designers, and builders across the industry.
More information is available at www.dmfluxury.com.
# # #
About DMF Lighting
DMF Lighting brings a creative approach to lighting and offers industry-leading technology that sets the bar for performance, quality, and flexibility. Our in-house research and development team designs products that provide exceptional aesthetics and are modular, which allows our lights to adapt easily to project changes or a future room redesign. DMF Lighting LED downlights produce accurate color rendering and smooth dimming and have low power consumption. They complement and enhance how a room looks and feels without sacrificing energy efficiency.
At DMF Lighting, we understand that light is more than illumination; light is what makes a space beautiful, useful, and ultimately, enjoyable. Learn more at www.dmfLuxury.com.
