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Jon Brooks (ArchEngr’95)

As principal and co-founder of AE Design, Jon Brooks has over 25 years of electrical engineering and lighting design experience. With a degree in architectural engineering from CU Boulder, Brooks has extensive knowledge from designer to business owner and enjoys being involved in the discussion about all things lighting. Drawing upon his education in this field, Brooks has built a solid foundation in which architects and their teams bring architecture to life. He provides the expertise and coordination required for lighting, electrical and technology designs. Additionally, sustainability is always top-of-mind for Brooks. He applies strategies to reduce energy usage throughout his work as well as to find non-traditional solutions that benefit the environment.

Brooks is involved with the Illuminating Engineering Society, International Association of Lighting Designers, Society for Marketing Professional Services, U.S. Green Building Council, and is a WELL Accredited Professional. 

Jeff Mullikin (ArchEngr’96)

As principal and co-founder of AE Design, Jeff Mullikin has over 25 years of experience in the electrical engineering and lighting design fields. He holds a degree in architectural engineering from CU Boulder. Mulliken understands the level of coordination that is required to provide an effective electrical and lighting system design that integrates with all the complex systems that may exist within a built environment. He sees lighting as the bridge between creativity and engineering and employs that philosophy in every project he touches.

Mulliken is an active member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, International Living Future Institution, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Contributions to the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department over the past year:

As a team, Brooks and Mulliken are highly engaged in the operations of their company. Their fondness and connection to CU Boulder has provided a clear pathway for students and created opportunities to engage in a meaningful way with the Lighting Program in architectural engineering. Since 2007, AE Design has grown to 50 employees, many of them CU Boulder students filling internships and full-time positions. In 2023, 19 of their employees are from CU. Eleven of those are women, illustrating AE Design’s commitment to inclusion in the engineering workforce. They committed to maintaining internship opportunities for students during the pandemic (via remote work), at a time when other employers were canceling internship offers.

Personally and through their company, they consistently provide guest lectures and mentorship in first-year and capstone courses. They participate in the Architectural Engineering Joint Evaluation Committee. They also donate generously to the CU IES Student Chapter to support an annual retreat, sponsor student trips to the Lightfair annual conference and facilitate student attendance at a local architectural lighting awards ceremony.