On a cursory level, the ideologies of “passion” and “technology” would seem to be polar opposites, but for Melissa Andresko, Chief Corporate Brand Ambassador for Lutron Electronics, the two concepts are deeply intertwined.
Her long-held belief that technology is a beneficial force that improves people’s lives has enabled Andresko to passionately advance Lutron’s marketing initiatives for integrators and consumers since 1998. Her passion has not gone unrecognized, as Andresko has been named the recipient of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) 2023 Smart Home Division Leadership Award for her outstanding service.
Each year, CTA presents the Smart Home Leadership Award to an individual who has made significant contributions to the growth and success of the smart home industry and shows continued dedication and service to the consumer tech industry. Andresko will receive the award during a ceremony at CES 2023 in Las Vegas on Friday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall Connector, Level 2, Room S227.
“I have a passion for helping consumers understand the benefits of smart home products, particularly the benefits to seniors and the disabled,” says Andresko, who has spent more than a decade driving the adoption of smart home products through various communications vehicles. She has appeared frequently on national and local news programs and podcasts as a smart home expert. She also has spoken at multiple events and conferences annually, sharing her expertise in the areas of the smart home user experience and product adoption.
Little did she know that 25 years after joining Lutron as her first job out of college after graduating from Moravian University, Andresko would find herself so engaged in the industry. Her passion for helping consumers with their technology needs has meant she is an involved participant on multiple association committees aimed at helping the industry. She currently sits on numerous CTA and CEDIA boards and committees, serving on the CTA’s Executive Board, as well as the boards of Industry Leaders, Smart Home and Accessories Division. She is also a CTA Foundation Trustee.
“It is very rewarding. I chaired the CTA TechHome board from 2016-2018, and under my leadership, I advocated for and led members to change the name from the TechHome Board (which had been the name for more than a decade) to the Smart Home Board to better reflect the industry landscape,” she recalls.
“There are only so many hours in the day to volunteer and explore your passions. For me, that passion comes in the form of consumer and industry advocacy by volunteering on several CTA boards and committees. During these meetings, your fellow board members are not competitors – we are all here for the exact same reason – to find common ground in our passion to take care of our customers and to advance the consumer electronics industry. To see people from various disciplines and backgrounds work together toward a common goal is very rewarding and I would encourage everyone to find their passion like I did and pursue it with enthusiasm and rigor,” explains Andresko, who was named a CE Pro Masters recipient in 2019 among other accolades.
During her decades in the industry, she has seen a lot of change.
“I have been in this industry for nearly 25 years and still marvel at the advances we have seen over the past 5, 10, and even 20 years. What fascinates me about our industry is that smart home means something different to everyone. To some people, having a smart home means using a voice assistant to play music or create a shopping list, to others it could be having a motion-activated light in their laundry room, and to many, it’s having a home with numerous IoT devices controlled by an app.”
She adds, “We’ve seen a tremendous shift in consumer sentiment and adoption for smart home products starting with people not fully grasping the benefits of the products and viewing them as gadgets. Fast forward to today where smart home products are used to solve problems, assist with caregiving, create peace of mind, and simplify everyday tasks and routines. My hope for the future is that consumers continue to see the true benefits these products bring to your home and family and that living with these products and their benefits is the norm and not the exception.”
Past CTA Leadership Award Winners
Jim Lind, Nebraska Furniture Mart (2022)
Jason Knott, CE Pro (2021)
Shawn Hansson, Logic Integration (2020)
David Kaplan, Blue Salve Consulting (2019)
Helen Heneveld, Bedrock Learning (2018)
Dan Fulmer, Fultech Solutions (2017)
Avi Rosenthal, Nortek Security and Control (2016)
Eric Bodley, Bodley & Associates (2015)
Julie Jacobson, CE Pro/EH Publishing (2014)
Michael Pope, Audio Video Interiors (2013)
Walt Zerbe, Legrand (2012)
Roland Graham, HDHomes.TV (2011)
Ric Johnson, Elite Systems Solutions (2010)
Ian Hendler, Leviton Manufacturing Co. (2009)
David Rodarte, NuVo Technologies LLC (2008)
Bill Maronet, ETC Inc. (2007)
Tom Callahan, Sawyers Control Systems (2006)
David Hanchette, OnQ/Legrand (2005)
Peter Hoagland, BG Corp. (2004)
Duane Paulson, Sequel Technologies LLC (2003)
Richard Scholl, Worthington Distribution (2002)
John Galante, EH Publishing Inc. (2001)
Ken Kerr, Home Controls Inc. (2000)
Jay McLellan, Home Automation Inc. (1999)
Ken Moyes, EH Publishing Inc. (1998)
Joe Freeman, J. P. Laboratories LLC (1997)
Doug Fikse, On-Q Home (1996)
Mark Hollcraft, Leviton Manufacturing Co. (1995)
Pete Lesser, X10 (USA) Inc. (1994)
Bill Scheffler, Zensys Inc. (1994)
Dave Rye, X10 (USA) Inc. (1994)
