Paula Martinez-Nobles Named President of Fisher Marantz Stone: A New Chapter in a Legacy of Light
In an April interview for The SPEC, I spoke with Paula Martinez-Nobles shortly after her appointment as President of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS). Our conversation highlighted her 21-year journey with the firm and the thoughtful leadership transition now underway at one of the most respected names in architectural lighting.
Paula Martinez-Nobles has officially stepped into the role of President of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS), marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s 54-year history. This transition signifies more than a title change—it represents a generational shift, a thoughtful succession, and the continuation of a design legacy built on a culture of collaboration, innovation, and integrity.
From intern to president, Paula’s journey is as inspiring as it is instructive. She joined FMS 21 years ago as an intern from Penn State’s Architectural Engineering program. During a career fair, she interviewed with Charles Stone. The firm’s energy, the elegance of its portfolio, and the people she met convinced her to join as an intern. She never left.
“The baton has been passed to the third generation,” Paula said. “It’s very exciting.”
A Third Generation of Ownership and Leadership
The origins of FMS trace back to its founders, Jules Fisher and Paul Marantz. Charles Stone—whom Paula calls a founder in his own right—took the firm to new heights, particularly with its expansion into Asia. Paula now leads the firm into its next era, alongside Managing Director Michael Hemmenway, and its Studio Leaders, Kristina Jajalla and Katie Czub. Paula’s presidency signals stability and growth.
“We want to make sure that the legacy and what FMS has been known for: design excellence, creativity, and passion for lighting design, is passed on to generations to come,” she said.
Leading Through Transition and Growth
While Paula emphasized continuity, she acknowledged that the firm must remain agile in an evolving industry. The nature of work has shifted, with post-pandemic corporate projects trending smaller and more fragmented. “Instead of the 250,000-square-foot headquarters, there are a couple of 50,000-square-foot offices,” she noted. “You don’t have the efficiency of scale, and managing multiple small jobs is often more complex.”
Despite the challenges through the pandemic, FMS has continued to grow. The firm now operates three studios: New York City, Seattle, and Austin. While the lighting design industry remains competitive and fee structures continue to feel the squeeze, Paula remains optimistic and forward-looking.
Balancing Leadership and Design
Unlike many executives who step away from creative roles, Paula and Michael will continue designing and working closely with clients. “similar to how Charles maintains deep, lasting relationships in the industry, I’m committed to doing the same.” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the clients who trust us day in and day out, and we truly enjoy continuing those partnerships. We’re also excited to welcome new collaborations.”
Managing the dual responsibilities of business leadership and creative direction will require flexibility. Paula recognizes this and doesn’t pretend it will be perfectly compartmentalized. “When the architect or client calls, you’ve got to pick up the phone. It helps that we have a deep bench of talent.”
A Personal Mission: Leading by Example
Paula’s role as president is not just professional—it’s deeply personal. She’s a mother of four daughters, ages four months to sixteen years. Her leadership at FMS is as much about shaping the firm’s future as it is about modeling strength, balance, and ambition for the next generation—inside and outside her own home.
“With four girls, I have a strong drive to be a present and supportive mother, while also showing them how much joy and purpose I find in my career,” she said. “It’s part of the motivation.” She acknowledges the challenge of balancing work and family, but embraces it as part of the reality many in the industry share.
Investing in the Next Generation
One of Paula’s key priorities is nurturing emerging talent within FMS. She credited the firm’s third-generation transition to early succession planning and an intentional focus on mentorship. “We started seriously talking about succession planning five years ago. A successful succession, for a brand like ours to continue, has to start early, identify potential future leaders and draw on support from each of our founders just like Charles had support from Paul and Jules.”
FMS employs about 40 people, and Paula speaks passionately about fostering their growth. “There’s something really fulfilling about watching people grow, step up, take the reins and lead. That’s something I love building and want to keep nurturing.”
Looking Ahead
When asked about acquisitions, Paula responded with measured openness. There are no immediate plans, but the firm keeps its eyes open. As for the state of the industry, she described it as recovering, but not fully back to pre-pandemic levels.
Lighting design evolves with changing client demands, emerging technologies, and shifting project types. However, one constant remains: the value of thoughtful leadership rooted in legacy, people, and purpose.
With Paula Martinez-Nobles at the helm, FMS is poised to not only navigate that future but also help define it.
Related: Read my interview with FMS Founder Charles Stone from Euroluce