ATLANTA, June 8, 2026 – Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) announced today that Michael Linck, Vice President – Specification Sales, ABL has been elected President of the Besal Fund Board. The Robert J. Besal Memorial Education Fund (Besal Fund) is a trust established to provide a continuing scholarship program for the advancement of education in illuminating engineering disciplines.
“I’d like to thank the members of the Board who have recently stepped down for their service and commitment to the Besal Fund,” said Linck. “Their leadership has helped build a strong foundation for the program. I’m honored to step into this role and look forward to working with the Board to continue expanding opportunities for students and supporting the future of the lighting industry.”
Additionally, the Besal Fund awarded $22,000 in scholarship funds for the 2026-2027 academic year to each the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, University of Colorado, Boulder, Penn State University, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for a total of $110,000. The schools will select and distribute funds directly to students on behalf of the Besal Fund. These scholarships are a testament to the Besal Fund’s ongoing commitment to advancing education in illuminating engineering disciplines.
The Besal Fund aspires to encourage talented and committed students to pursue a career in the lighting industry and illuminating engineering fields. It has awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships to students from accredited schools throughout the United States.
The Besal Fund is made possible through the generous contributions from Acuity Brands Lighting, its sales representatives and employees. The fund was created to honor the legacy of the late Robert J. Besal, who served as Vice President for Lithonia Lighting, a brand within the ABL portfolio. Robert J. Besal was a visionary leader in the lighting industry, and the fund aims to continue his mission of fostering educational excellence in illuminating engineering. The scholarships are self-administered and issued directly by the Besal Fund, ensuring that the funds are allocated to deserving students dedicated to advancing the industry.
For more information, visit The Besal Fund online.
About Acuity Inc.
Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.
Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.
EDISONREPORT EDITOR’S NOTE
The Besal Fund’s $110,000 in scholarships across five universities for the 2026-2027 academic year reflects a sustained commitment to the illuminating engineering pipeline — the fund has now distributed over $1.6 million since its founding. With schools like Penn State, CU Boulder, and Kansas State on the recipient list, the geographic reach covers several of the more active lighting design programs in the country. We congratulate Michael Linck on his election as Board President.