Jana Brownell, Chairman of Kirlin, Inducted into Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame
On 14 November, the IES Detroit section gathered at the Detroit Athletic Club to honor Jana Brownell, Chairman of Kirlin Lighting. She was inducted into the Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame at a sold-out event celebrating her achievements and her family’s legacy. The Kirlin family has driven lighting innovation across five generations.
A Family Legacy in Lighting
During the ceremony, I sat next to Jana’s son, Chris Brownell, who proudly shared a piece of his family’s history. “My great-grandfather, Ivan Kirlin, was the second generation in the Kirlin family business and was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame in 2013. Now, my mom will be the second member of our family to receive this honor.” Chris also reminisced about his childhood in the family business, including the annual tradition of counting inventory on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This practice connected him to Kirlin from a young age.
A Career Path Changed by Family
After dinner, incoming IES Detroit section President Michelle Prew introduced Jana. In her acceptance speech, Jana reflected on her career path, which could have been very different. Initially, she aspired to create a global healthcare network for women. She prepared for this future by studying biochemistry and earning an MBA and working in biotechnology. Her brother was expected to take over the family business, but he chose a career in ministry instead. When her father became ill in 1986, Jana decided to join Kirlin.
“I certainly would not be here if not for the three Kirlin generations before me,” she said. “I had planned to be in California, heading a women’s health network system and leaving my mark there.”
Returning to Michigan
Jana’s commitment to family brought her back to Michigan. She recounted the day she left Los Angeles: “Steve, my husband, agreed to a one-way ticket from LAX to DTW,” she said with a smile. “A true story—when the gate agent heard that we had a one-way ticket to Detroit in 1986, he upgraded us to first class with champagne!”
This decision marked the beginning of Jana’s journey with Kirlin. She would soon build upon her father’s legacy and help the company grow.
Kirlin’s Legacy: Over 100 Years of Innovation
Kirlin’s story began in 1895 with Jana’s great-grandfather, Otis Kirlin, who founded the company in Minnesota. At a time when electric lighting was new and often feared, Otis addressed safety concerns by importing decorative porcelain sockets from France. He crafted chandeliers that combined beauty and functionality. As the business grew, it moved to Detroit in 1919, a hub of American innovation.
Otis’s son, Ivan Kirlin, expanded the company further by pioneering recessed lighting. He introduced the Kirlin K-lens, a design still used today. In 1923, Ivan became an early member of the IES, helping to cement the family’s impact on the industry.
Jana’s father, John Kirlin, represented the third generation of leadership. He expanded Kirlin’s reach into healthcare and maximum-security lighting, working with pioneers like Dr. Michael DeBakey to create lighting systems emphasizing precision and safety.
Driving Healthcare Innovation at Kirlin
When Jana joined Kirlin in 1986, she started as a product manager for maximum security and healthcare lighting. Jana, Steve, and colleague Don Davis developed the groundbreaking INFRALITE. This motorized recessed lighting system led to the establishment of Kirlin’s Healthcare Lighting Division.
Reflecting on this milestone, she noted, “In ways I had never envisioned, Kirlin Lighting fulfilled my personal and professional desire to enhance health and wellbeing on a global scale.” The healthcare education and experience were not wasted. Over the years, Jana’s leadership has kept Kirlin at the forefront of healthcare and architectural lighting. Her vision has driven advancements in LED technology and lighting controls.
The Fifth Generation: Chris Brownell and the Future of Kirlin
Today, Chris Brownell represents the fifth generation of the Kirlin family to lead the business. Chris joined the company in 2019 and has already made a significant impact. He has developed products like the INFRALED PRO lighting system, named ‘The Coolest Thing Made in Michigan’ by the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association in 2023. Under his guidance, Kirlin has expanded into the linear market, adding slot and cove lighting to its offerings.
In her speech, Jana highlighted Chris’s contributions and expressed her confidence in the company’s future. “His work has brought us into new technologies, shapes, and markets—all while honoring the values we’ve held for over a century,” she said. “I know the Kirlin legacy is in capable hands.”
Upholding Kirlin’s Core Values
As she concluded her speech, Jana reflected on the principles that have sustained Kirlin for over a century. She credited the company’s success to a commitment to improving lives through lighting, a dedication to innovation, loyalty to the lighting industry, and preparing for the future with a talented team.
Jana closed with heartfelt gratitude for her family, colleagues, and the lighting community. “Kirlin’s human values remain at the heart of everything we do: a commitment to improving lives, dedication to daily innovation, serving only one master—the lighting industry—and always preparing for the future with the incredible colleagues we’re blessed to have,” she said.
A Legacy of Excellence
Jana Brownell’s induction into the Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame honors her achievements and celebrates the Kirlin family’s enduring impact on the industry. With deep appreciation for the generations before her and optimism for those who will follow, Jana upholds her family’s legacy. She guides Kirlin Lighting with vision, passion, and unwavering commitment.
Read about my previous visit to the IES Detroit Section for their 100th anniversary celebration.