The Innovator and Mad Scientist of Lighting
Running away at 16 and launching his first company, Phase 1 Electric, at 18, Nate Mullen quickly made his mark as a licensed electrical contractor. Phase 1 Electric grew to nearly 100 electricians, igniting his passion for landscape lighting.
Background
Known for his groundbreaking ideas, Nate constantly challenges conventional design with a hands-on approach, earning the nicknames “Crazy,” “The Mad Scientist,” and “The Illuminator.” Admired by thousands of students and respected even by competitors, he’s spent 35 years full-time in lighting, plus a part-time career as an electrical contractor. Over the years, Nate launched and ran several innovative ventures:
- Phase 1 Laundry: Managed laundry services across 12 apartment complexes
- Southern California Cable: Provided cable TV to over 2,600 apartment units
- Unique Lighting System (1995-2011), later sold to Toro.
- Off-Road Warehouse (ORW), Owned for 14 years
- Lifetime Lighting Systems (2017-present), following his non-compete expiration with Toro.
Awards & Recognition
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
- Over 100,000 fixtures installed or designed
- Invented the Multi-Tap Transformer and Hub Method of wiring
- Holds 50 patents
- Author of The Landscape Lighting Bible, Landscape Lighting Resource Manual, Trade Secrets of Landscape Lighting, and The Art and Science of Landscape Lighting