A new wave of the

Best & Brightest

Together, we design and craft architectural lighting on the California coast. And we do it with style. Imagination defines us, that and a commitment to thinking on the bright side. Unbound by convention, we dare differently. It’s why we don’t hesitate to dive into the deep-end to discover better ways of doing business.

At Extant, we’re driven to define what’s next.

Our Team

Steve Koch

President | Co-Founder

A solution-oriented engineer with 18 years in the industry, Steve lights the way for Extant. With his ability to listen and adapt, he takes bright ideas one step further—and makes friends along the way. When Steve isn’t implementing new strategies or developing innovative technologies, he’s at the beach with his family. As a U.C. San Diego grad and a Southern California native, fishing and other ocean sports are his idea of a good time.

Erik Smith

CRO | Co-Founder

Erik is a fun-loving family man and outdoor enthusiast: golf, hiking, snow skiing, and wakesurfing are just a few of the many sports he loves. Outgoing and extremely driven, Erik has a knack for motivating others and bringing out their best—it’s how he’s attracted the brightest here at Extant. He prides himself on the fixtures and technology the team has developed, and gets excited every time a project is completed. Erik received his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and spends his limited free time at Avila Beach with his wife and kids (including his black lab Gilly).

Bill Lynch

Principal | Co-Founder

Bill is a Philadelphia native and die-hard Eagles football fan. His passions include building relationships with clients, co-workers, and creatives in the field—after 25 years in the lighting industry he knows talent when he sees it. An energetic leader who’s honed his craft, Bill brings our team together. When he’s not strengthening ties at Extant, you can catch him on the golf course with friends, cooking large dinners with his family, or scouting his next caribbean getaway.

Adam Snyder

Inside Sales Manager

From selling his parents on a new pair of soccer cleats as a kid, to marketing and selling homes early in his career, Adam brings a lifetime of experience in compelling communication to Extant. An energetic go-getter who has never met a stranger, Adam crafts creative solutions that ensure client needs are met. Earning customer confidence and respect is his greatest reward (along with a trip to the brewery). His personal pursuits include mountain biking, golfing, fishing, and playing soccer.

Desiree Gillaspy

Customer Experience Manager/Marketing

Whether it’s bringing marketing projects to life or developing connections with customers, Desiree brings Swiss Army knife-like versatility to our team. Quick-witted and adventurous, she’s all about ensuring our customer experience transcends expectation. Desiree is a Cal Poly grad and Central Coast native who loves hiking and the beach, but that easy-going vibe quickly disappears when it comes to golf or any other activity that can be turned into a competition.

Sam Soeth

Eastern Regional Manager

Sam is all about building meaningful and lifelong relationships, whether it be with colleagues or the neighborhood mailman. An eternal optimist who has “never had a bad day,” it’s his love of people that motivates him, especially his family and their annual vacation together. His competitive spirit, work ethic and willingness to learn is also part of what makes him a perfect addition to the Extant team – and quite the golfer when he’s not in the office. A Newton Square, Penn., native, and graduate of Temple University, Sam now lives in Philadelphia.

Matt McChesney

Mid-West Regional Manager

Personable and charismatic, Matt is an enthusiastic networker who loves bridging connections through his line of work. His background in marketing lends itself well to his ability to develop strong working relationships with our team and our clients. Originally from Pennsylvania, Matt attended college at Penn State University and earned a degree from the SMEAL School of Business. Outside of the office, you’ll either find Matt golfing with friends or cheering on his favorite Philly sports teams.

Brian Crabtree

Inside Sales/Project Manager

Brian is a dedicated father who loves to support his children's passions and has logged some serious mileage as a "Dance Dad”. A driven self-starter, Brian is well adept at juggling multiple tasks at once. With 25 years of lighting industry and project management experience, Brian has become an expert at visualizing the inner workings of any lighting project, and he is motivated by the collaboration and teamwork required to see a job to completion. Originally from New Hampshire, he now lives in Orange, CA with his family. As someone who never wants to stop learning, you’ll often find Brian reading non-fiction literature outside of work.

Will Rodriguez

Customer Service

Inquisitive and intentional, Will is a natural innovator who makes multitasking look easy. With 15 years of experience in the Lighting Industry, Will is passionate about fostering meaningful relationships through the quality of his work. Will currently lives in Santa Ana, though he has had the opportunity to live in many desirable places, including Athens, Greece. Outside of Extant, you’ll find Will juggling an assortment of hobbies which include photography, writing, music, and cheering on his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Sandy Wood

Customer Experience Specialist

An all-around team player, Sandy brings warmth, punctuality, and imaginative dedication to Extant. With over 18 years of industry experience, she is well versed in being adaptable and accommodating in fulfilling client needs while offering steadfast support to her team. Originally from Inglewood California, she now resides in Huntington Beach where she enjoys friends and family, local music, and cruising the beaches on her electric bike.

Marlena Schwarz

Office Manager

A Huntington Beach girl at heart, Marlena brings over a decade of management experience to the Extant team. From organizing office systems to coordinating clients, Marlena’s friendly and compassionate attitude brings light to every project. Issues big and small don’t phase her; this power mom thrives on the challenge. When Marlena isn’t keeping our rowdy bunch in check, you can find her feet up with a good book while her husband makes music in their home.

Cory Harrison

Director of Operations

With his exceptional organizational skills and over 32 years in the Manufacturing Industry, Cory completes any job with deliberate focus. Whether streamlining operations at Extant or preparing for his next National Park tour, Cory’s attention to detail is unmatched. Born and raised in Southern California, Cory loves to go camping, hiking, and wakeboarding.

Art Smith

Director of Product Development

Whether he’s cracking jokes or troubleshooting products, this quick-witted perfectionist is always looking to make improvements. From serving in the U.S. Army to decades in the lighting and tech industries, Art’s extensive experiences make him a key player here at Extant. It’s impossible for Art to cut corners—he’s obsessed with excellency and ensures everything we deliver is top-of-the-line. San Francisco born and happy in Huntington Beach, Art’s wit and charm make everyday at Extant brighter.

Jesus Ascencio

Director of Sustaining Engineering

Jesus is our quiet creative and our team relies on his ingenuity. He’s all about design⁠—visualizing solutions to dynamic production challenges is his forte. Watching his illustrations turn into beautiful functioning products is a thrilling process. Santa Ana born, Jesus received his degree in Mechanical Design from Technical Institute. Jesus is a total movie buff, when he’s not busy designing he’s at the theatre or basking in his collection of Blu-Rays and movie memorabilia.

Ralph Hidalgo

Engineering

With 27 years of experience in the Lighting Industry, Ralph is an expert at creating efficient solutions at Extant. His passion for 3D modeling and talent for creative problem-solving are consequential to his eager drive to learn and apply new skills. Ralph earned his Bachelor’s from Fullerton College and now lives in Anaheim, CA, with his family. Outside the office, Ralph enjoys spending time with his kids, watching movies, and planning his next travel adventure.

Nam Nguyen

Drafting

Originally from Vietnam, Nam moved to California back in 2007 and studied Industrial Drawing at Fullerton College. Nam is a voracious researcher, always seeking opportunities to add to his professional toolset. From teaching himself graphic software to refining his photography skills, Nam brings a laser-like focus to every project he undertakes. On weekends, you’ll find Nam playing video games, watching movies, or planning his next vacation.