Candela Controls, Inc. Mourns the Passing of Michael Lay

	Michael Lay

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Candela Controls, Inc. shares the news of the unexpected passing of Michael Lay this weekend. The team experienced a grave loss, and everyone will miss him more than words can express. Lay was not just their co-worker but a good friend as well.

Lay left behind a storied career, spanning more than four decades. Before starting his tenure at Candela Controls, Inc., Lay spent the previous 36 years overseeing notable lighting and installation design/build projects around the world for Production Arts, PRG, Strand Lighting, Color Kinetics, and Philips/Signify. In 2012, he collaborated on a renovation of the exterior lighting of the famed Empire State Building, installing 3600 LED luminaries between the 72nd floor and the tip of the broadcast antenna. He had participated in five permanent installations for the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, Orlando and Macau. He had also been involved in major construction projects at Madison Square Garden, The Harahan Bridge, The Mirage, Treasure Island, The new Mario M. Cuomo/Tappan Zee Bridge, Caesar's Palace, and The Metropolitan Opera House. He had helped create a lighting control system to enhance the artificial volcano at the main entrance to Las Vegas' Mirage Hotel. In the same city, he supervised installation for Buccaneer Bay, the $30 million "sign" -- a regular performance featuring actors, explosions, and a replica of an 18th century frigate that adorns the Treasure Island hotel and casino.

Other projects that he had managed include: The Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Detroit Opera House, The New York State Theatre (New York City, New York), ChiC (Beijing, China), JAL Hotel (Tokyo, Japan), The Atlantis ride at Sea World (Orlando, Florida), Nike Town (New York City, New York), The Masquerade Village -- Rio Hotel (Las Vegas, Nevada), The Aloha Showroom (Honolulu, Hawaii), The Flamingo Hotel Showroom (Las Vegas, Nevada), Caesar's Forum Fountain Show (Las Vegas, Nevada), Crown Casino Atrium Show (Melbourne, Australia), Disneyland Fantasmic Show (Anaheim, California), Fremont Street Experience (Las Vegas, Nevada), and Reunion Tower (Dallas, Texas).

Lay also volunteered on several committees for the ESTA Technical Standards Program (TSP), developing ANSI certified interoperability and safety standards for the entertainment industry. He served as co-chair of the Controls Protocols Working Group (which maintains the DMX512, RDM, and sACN standards), as well as being a principle voting member on the Photometrics and Electrical Power Working Group. Lay was also a voting member on the Technical Standards Council which oversees the TSP.

Candela Controls, Inc. understands the shock of learning of Lay's passing, and thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.