Ron Rezek is a design entrepreneur. He is founder of, and designer for, The Modern Fan Company, manufacturer of contemporary ceiling fans. He also established Highlights, a high-end group of lighting showrooms, and founded, and CO-owns (with Artemide), Ron Rezek Lighting. His lighting and ceiling fans are state-of-the-art and reflect his philosophy of "simplicity in form and economy in production." Ron's masterful designs have attracted a huge following of sophisticated consumers who understand, appreciate, and buy his products.

What makes Ron Rezek so unique? His work is a clear expression of his love of good design and his commitment to modern design aesthetics. Ron credits Henry Dreyfuss, Charles Eames, Neils Different, and Don Chadwick, his teachers, as his major influences. He is also indebted to Deborah Sussman and Frank Gehry, two former employers, for their contributions to his design education.

After receiving a M.F.A. from UCLA, Ron spent his early career teaching at UCLA's art and architecture departments, the Art Center College of Design, and Southern California Institute of Architecture.

What do "Bay Watch" and Ron Rezek have in common? Sorry, he didn't date Pamela Anderson, but he did design the rescue float carried by lifeguards around the world and set up Surf Saving International to manufacture and distribute this equipment in 1990.

While continuing to teach, Ron participated in design exhibitions where he translated his passion for simple design into modern light fixtures. In 1978, encouraged by the response to several of his own lighting designs, Ron started Ron Rezek Lighting. His goal was to modernize the decorative lighting industry.

In the 80's, Ron's leadership in lighting design earned him respect as a contemporary designer. A successful, California based ceiling fan company entrusted Ron with the redesign of their product line to attract an upscale, contemporary minded client. By 1988, Ron had designed seven innovative, and modern ceiling fans, including the "Stratos," which continues to define 21st century ceiling fan design.

Other clients that employed Ron's design expertise included: Herman Miller, Monarch Mirror, Del Rey Lighting, Fredrick Raymond Lighting, Halsey Lighting, and Lavi Industries.

As a designer of modern lighting, Ron was always disappointed by the way contemporary lighting was presented and sold. According to Ron, "In showrooms, my products were inevitably displayed between crystal chandeliers and baroque lamps. I felt that a lighting showroom with only current lighting designs would serve both the retail and design communities. I envisioned a 'gallery of lights' featuring the best modern designs." This dissatisfaction was the inspiration for Highlights, a group of lighting showrooms, the first of which opened in 1990.

In 1997, Ron renewed his creativity with contemporary ceiling fan design and founded The Modern Fan Company. Motivated by his belief that the ubiquitous Victorian style design left a lot to be desired, Ron went on to design and produce twelve, sleek, simple, and modern ceiling fans. The Modern Fan Company is the first to produce a ceiling fan with fluorescent lighting and is a charter member of EPA's Energy Star program, which recognizes excellence in product efficiency.

Ron Rezek divides his time between Southern Oregon and Los Angeles.