#Eweek2025 Spotlight | Tyler Hestand
Enhancing well-being through lighting design.
For National Engineers Week 2025, we’re sharing stories from Cushing Terrell’s engineering talent to learn more about how they chose their profession and what makes them tick.
Who (or what) inspired you to be an engineer?
My Grandpa (“Pop”) was my main inspiration to pursue engineering. He was a civil engineer who helped design bridges throughout Portland and the state of Oregon. Growing up, I remember thinking how cool it would be to physically point to projects I worked on. It also helped that I was good at math and physics throughout high school, which confirmed my career path.
What is your area of expertise and why did you choose it?
After initially choosing to study mechanical engineering, I decided to switch to electrical engineering because I preferred those classes (circuits and digital systems); they were much more engaging for me. However, electrical engineering wasn’t quite enough to keep me busy, so I decided to add a math major my junior year, because it would be “fun.” Within the architectural engineering industry, I have focused on lighting design because it has a big impact on building occupants and can dramatically improve their experience.
A few of Tyler’s recent lighting design projects — pictured at left is a Dell project in Santa Clara, California, and at right is a Google project in Austin, Texas.
Do you have a passion project or initiative you’re working on?
Developing automation workflows in Revit is an initiative I’m working to advance. I’m writing custom scripts to analyze information within the building model to create quality management reports and increase efficiency, reducing the redundant tasks performed by designers. This will help save time during design and reduce errors, which then saves time during construction.
Tell us something about the field of engineering that is surprising or not common knowledge.
Communication is one of the most important skills an engineer can have — being able to explain the decisions we make to non-engineers, in a way they can understand it, is critical.
What piece of advice would you give a young person interested in becoming an engineer?
Always be curious and love to learn new things.
Are you involved in activities that help engage students/young people in engineering?
My sister is a middle school math teacher, so every year I present at their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) day and share about projects I’ve worked on, what we do as architectural engineers, and how to become an engineer.
Tyler and fellow Cushing Terrell team member Tim Johnson (mechanical engineer and sustainability director) representing the firm’s Caldwell, Idaho, office for the annual Indian Creek Festival Cardboard Kayak Race. The kayak design stood up to several runs down the rapids, and Tyler and Tim finished third in the final race.
Tyler at a Glance
- Electrical Engineer
- Living in Boise, Idaho
- Defining characteristics: Hard working, determined, detail oriented, active listener
- Interests: Hockey, college football, recreational sports, and family time
Team bonding (from left to right): Lily Summers (design professional/Seattle), Madeline Randolfi (interior designer/Seattle), Tyler Hestand (electrical engineer/Boise), Tyler Victorino (electrical engineer/Boise), and Allyn Jorgensen (mechanical engineer/Billings) at a Seattle Kraken ice hockey game after a project site visit.
Tyler and family enjoy a College of Idaho football game.
