MHT Lighting, a leader in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lighting and building automation software, has hired Kim Johnson as chief marketing officer. Johnson is responsible for refining and promoting the company’s global brand and increasing exposure for its expanded smart-building technology solutions.

For MHT, Johnson will oversee strategic marketing of the company’s core brands, products and platform-based solutions, as well as initiatives around education, partnerships, digital strategy, thought leadership content and public relations. Her extensive background in marketing analytics will be critical to the development of a winning formula for MHT’s branding and communication outcomes.

MHT Lighting is best known for its patented inspeXtor PoE smart-building automation platform, which is installed in a half dozen countries within class-A office buildings, healthcare spaces, luxury condos and apartments, hotels, schools and classrooms, as well as data centers. The company has added several key executives to the team in recent months and has forged new strategic partnerships to increase product solutions and brand visibility.

“It was immediately clear to me that MHT’s vision for a sustainable future is what unites everyone on the team, from engineers and developers to the c-suite and board of directors,” said Johnson. ““I’m excited to be on board and to help leverage that vision to take even bigger strides forward for the company and its clients.”

Johnson most recently led marketing for PoE lighting startup Igor. During her tenure with Igor, Johnson developed and executed a multi-disciplinary branding and communications strategy that earned the young business significant market exposure for its PoE and IoT technology solutions. This included the firm’s receipt of the 2020 IoT World’s ‘COVID-19 Innovation’ Award, as well as other industry awards for innovation in marketing. Johnson built Igor’s award-winning marketing team from the ground up, and was recognized for her efforts by LEDs Magazine, which placed her in the inaugural class of 40 Under 40.

MHT Lighting CEO Ira Horowitz recalls admiring Johnson’s work over the past several years. “Kim leads endeavors that elevate not just a single brand, but an entire industry,” he said. “The innovators within smart-building automation have the potential to dramatically accelerate some very aggressive corporate goals around environmental and social change. Kim is the kind of leader who gets their work noticed, applauded—and most importantly—implemented. We are honored she has chosen to bring her knowledge, tireless work ethic and leadership to our team.”

Johnson has a bachelor’s degree from Augustana University in South Dakota and graduated with honors from the University of Iowa’s full-time MBA program with an emphasis in marketing.