Paul Vincent, right, was inducted as a USITT Fellow in 2004 at a ceremony held as part of the Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Long Beach, California. Richard Arnold, former USITT President and Fellow, congratulates him on the honor.

Photo/USITT Archives

Barbara E.R. Lucas
Sightlines Editor

Paul Vincent, a stalwart of the performing arts community in Ohio, will be honored with the Thomas DeGaetani Award when USITT opens its 2009 Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio March 18.

Mr. Vincent, president of Vincent Lighting Systems, will be recognized for his outstanding service. The DeGaetani Award, named in honor of USITT’s first president, is given to honor a lifetime contribution to the performing arts community in a particular region of the country. The presentation will take place at 10 a.m. in the Duke Energy Convention Center as part of the Keynote, Annual Meeting, and Conference Kickoff.

Mr. Vincent and Vincent Lighting have been strong supporters of USITT for many years on both the regional and national level, including more than 30 years as a Contributing member of the organization. He is very active in the Ohio Valley Regional Section and has also encouraged the involvment of his staff. In 2004, Mr. Vincent joined a very select and esteemed group when he was named a Fellow of USITT.

Mr. Vincent’s roots in the industry run deep. He received a master's degree in lighting design from the University of Cincinnati and then was immersed in theatre, television, and architectural lighting as a representative for equipment manufacturers. In the early 1970s, he was the convention manager for Kliegl Brothers. Later, he served as Midwest Sales Manager for Colortran and then oversaw eastern operations for Strand Lighting.

In 1978, he founded his own company, then called Paul Vincent Associates. That company has grown into a significant supplier of lighting sales, rentals, and service with offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.

Mr. Vincent served as President of Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) as it transitioned from the Theatrical Dealers Association, and has served as chair of the ESTA Technical Standards Committee, to give just a few examples of his continuing support of safety and improved standards within the industry.

The DeGaetani award is just the latest recognition for Mr. Vincent. In 1999 he received the Eva Swan Award from ESTA, and he was inducted into the Ohio Educational Theatre Association in 2005.

Mr. Vincent and his wife, Kathy, have three adult children: Karena, Kevin, and Leah who are “scattered throughout the country” giving him a great reason to travel. He also enjoys sailing and scuba diving and has a well-documented love of ice cream which he will have the opportunity to indulge at the many providers of frozen treats in Cincinnati.

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