Marcel Fairbairn, Founder and CEO

Mr. Fairbairn is the “visionary” behind the company and combined with his entrepreneurial thinking, keeps LED Source® looking ahead. A 20-year veteran of the entertainment lighting industry, he founded LED Source® in 2005 with his business partner Gavin Cooper. Marcel has previously held executive roles with various prominent entertainment lighting manufacturers including Martin and High End Systems. In 2002, he founded Gear-Source® (www.GearSource.com), the top destination for buyers and sellers of entertainment production inventory. That same year he founded AVR USA in partnership with UK manufacturer, AVR Lighting, who was an early producer of LED lighting products.

 Gavin Cooper, Vice President

Mr. Cooper is responsible for the LED product line and continues to find new groundbreaking technologies that keep LED Source® ahead of the wave. Through his varied background in lighting manufacturing in Europe, Gavin has helped to pioneer changes in LED lighting here in North America. Known as the "MacGyver of LED lighting," he has become an integral partner forming long-term relationships with many clients.

 Rick Freistat, Business Development

Mr. Freistat, a true lighting industry veteran, in 1979 co-founded Laser Lighting, a wholesale distributor lighting business. Working with his father and brother, Rick served as the company’s senior vice president where he provided commercial lighting products to facilities throughout Florida for the past 33 years. Having worked on hundreds of projects offering energy-efficient lighting and supplying thousands of facility maintenance professionals, Mr. Freistat has a strong background in sales, business development, distribution, retrofit applications and general contracting.

Josh Tolford, Vice President of Finance

For over 20 years, Mr. Tolford has been providing crucial financial-management and fiscal leadership for unique business models experiencing hyper-growth environments. Josh has earned a Bachelor equivalency in accounting and a BBA in Marketing and Economics from James Madison University and has served as Chief Financial Officer for both private and not-for-profit enterprises. He has gained exceptional strategic and analytical skills, which has proved to be beneficial to customers, outside business partners and franchisees.  

Dan Ocasio, Vice President of Franchise Operations

  Mr. Ocasio joined LED Source® in 2009 and brings 25 years of lighting experience, most recently as a rep for the world's leading LED retrofit brand, Cree. He also worked as the Northeast regional sales manager for Kichler Lighting, where he obtained specialized training in lamps and lighting fixtures. Dan has extensive experience in both residential and commercial lighting designs and has strong public speaking, presentation and people skills. He has managed and trained several large organizations, and developed various sales and franchising programs.

Michael Taylor, Controller

Mr. Taylor, originally from St. Louis, has called south Florida home for most of his life. A graduate of Florida International University with a BA in Education and Accounting, Michael has worked for several large organizations where he gained experience first as a staff accountant and then as Controller. For Michael, it is all about the numbers.  

Dean Ernst, Director of Marketing

Mr. Ernst is a true entrepreneur with a passion for technology. As the founder of three successful businesses in the music and entertainment industry, he forever changed the landscape by creating the standard for the secure digital delivery of music. Dean has both a broadcasting and real estate background and has consulted on Internet technology and social media marketing for several Fortune 500 companies. Dean is responsible for creating the LED Source® branding and messaging. He works closely with the executive team and franchisees to ensure a consistent marketing message in the marketplace.

Cate Gibbons, Director of Sales Operations

Dorel Baila, Director of Sales - Entertainment

Since graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mr. Baila started working for LED Source® in 2008. He is accredited with various technical training for Philips Color Kinetics and Element Labs LED lighting and has established valuable contacts in the entertainment industry. Dorel set several company sales records and is a valuable member of the LED Source® team. His work can be seen in various nightclubs, TV studios, restaurants and theme parks throughout the U.S.

A graduate of Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business, with a major in marketing and a minor in finance, Mr. LeFevre has spent the last 15+ years in the medical sales arena. He has extensive knowledge in strategic selling and sales leadership and was bestowed the Award of Excellence from Merck and Company as well as the Perennial President’s Club. Driven by a passion to succeed, Andrew is focused in leading the transition from conventional lighting to LEDs.

Louman, Resident Mascot

Louman was born October 31, 2009 and is our official mascot and a bit of a happiness director. Since coming in to LED Source®, Louman has started a Facebook page plus a Racing Team and has had a whole lot of fun too. If you'd like an authentic Louman stress ball (or Stress Bulb in this case) please send an email to marketing@ledsource.com and ask! We'd be happy to get one right out.