Jury Alumni

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  James Krenisky

  Sr. Technical Marketing Manager, Autodesk

  2026 Furniture & Lighting Jury Captain

  Mechanical Engineer based in Greenville, South Carolina. He began his career in industry specializing in thermal design for high-performance lighting fixtures. Today, he serves as a Technical Marketer for Autodesk, focusing on Fusion and Inventor, where he blends engineering expertise with product storytelling to support customer adoption and innovation.

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  Thomas Overthun

  Executive Industrial Design Director, IDEO

  2026 Furniture & Lighting Jury Member

  For over 30 years, Thomas has created products that reflect his unique approach to design. He has a deep interest in how things are made and how this knowledge can help to lessen their impact on the environment; how they connect to the digital realm; and how they act as ambassadors of their brand. Thomas’ work includes furniture for the workplace and home, sports products, consumer electronics, kitchen tools and personal care items, and has won numerous awards. Before IDEO, Thomas was part of the design team at Philips. Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the University of Wuppertal, Germany.

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  Ben Uyeda

  Director, Lowest Common Design

  2026 Furniture & Lighting Jury Member

  Ben Uyeda stepped away from the award-winning architecture firm he co-founded, as well as an Ivy League teaching position, to develop media companies that deliver affordable designs to the masses. In the last 10 years, Ben’s design ideas have reached more than 200 million people and the free designs he gives away are being built on six different continents. Despite the populist and affordable nature of his work, Ben’s designs have been featured in an exhibition and workshop at the Vitra Furniture Museum in Germany.