About Benjamin
Ben joined Barton in 2026 as Senior Architectural Lighting Designer at our York Office. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Master of Architectural Engineering with a focus on lighting and electrical systems. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, Lighting Certified through the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professions (NCQLP), and a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
“I like that the employees seem to be genuinely interested in being at work, being a part of the company, and wanting to perform well… for the benefit of the company and the employees,” Ben shared when asked what he likes most about the ESOP.
Tell us a little about your family/home life.
I am married, with 2 cats and no kids. We like to travel (the wife and I… not the cats), although no major trips are currently planned, as we are saving money for a home renovation. I like playing volleyball, and I try to run semi-regularly to stay in shape. I originally come from a very large family of 15 people—2 sisters, 10 brothers, Mom & Dad… and everyone has the initials BB!
What’s your hometown?
I am originally from Mechanicsburg, PA, and have been living in Carlisle for the past 16 years.
What was your first job in engineering like?
Through a co-op program in college, I worked for two semesters for DMJM (who later merged with AECOM) in Arlington, VA. For the first part of the co-op, I worked with the Electrical Engineering department under a man named Mr. Hamburger. I later switched to the mechanical engineering department and learned of the joys of duct sizing. One of the interesting things from that job was going to the Pentagon for site visits, where the company was involved with a variety of tenant fit-outs and swing space design. Another was playing on the company softball team, where games were held on the Ellipse in the shadow of the White House.
What was the first job you got a physical paycheck?
When I was in high school, I worked for the Mechanicsburg School District. During the school year, I worked in the Attendance Office after school, helping with filing and other administrative tasks. Over the summer, I helped to organize and distribute all of the incoming school supplies and new textbooks for all the schools in the district for the coming year. It’s where I gained an appreciation for the difference between paper clips, binder clips, and butterfly clamps… and an affinity for Swingline staplers.
How does the ESOP impact you the most?
I’ve only been here for 2 months, so time will tell. So far, I have enjoyed some of the side perks provided by the ESOP, such as Souper Wednesdays.
What do you love most about your job?
I love walking through a completed project and seeing my design brought to life. It’s a great learning experience to see what worked well and what I can improve on with future designs.
If I wasn’t an Architectural Lighting Designer, I’d be?
A puppeteer for Jim Henson Productions.
What’s your favorite sport (professional, college, or other)?
Volleyball.
I’m seldom without?
Chapstick.
What’s the one movie you can watch over and over again?
The Shawshank Redemption.
What’s on your bucket list?
A 5-gallon with a nice, sturdy handle. Smaller ones are nice for portability, but you can’t beat a 5-gallon one to hold a substantial amount without being too cumbersome. If I spent more time at the beach, I would probably add some sand pails to the list, too.
When I go to a cookout I hope there’s __ to eat.
Food.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas… hanging out with family and friends, it can be peaceful and chaotic all at once. And all of the Christmas lights are a nice, sparkling touch that adds to the magic of the season.
Have you ever met your idol or someone famous? If so, who?
The singer Nelly.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
When in doubt, draw a section.