Today, Solid Light announced the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointments of Mike Marnell as Chief Operating Officer, and Ben Jett as Chief Creative Officer.
The moves highlight Solid Light’s commitment to internal talent and reflect a strategic effort to continuously elevate client experience. Having spent years building departments, managing cross-functional teams, and guiding major client initiatives, Marnell and Jett bring additional deep institutional knowledge and proven track records of client-first leadership to their new roles.
Following a successful tenure leading the Fabrication department, as COO, Marnell will now oversee company-wide operations, streamlining project delivery, aligning internal workflows, and ensuring seamless execution across all client and partner engagements.
As CCO, Jett will continue to spearhead the Creative department, and will guide the firm’s overarching creative strategy, pushing design boundaries that honor authentic storytelling and captivate audiences.
“Mike and Ben have proven to be great leaders for Solid Light, our clients and partners. They naturally demonstrate strong character regardless of circumstance.” said Mike McCarthy, CEO of Solid Light. “Having them step into the Executive Team ensures our clients and partners continue working with leaders who truly know this business inside and out.”
“Watching Mike and Ben grow as professionals and leaders over their many years with our firm has been deeply rewarding,” said Cynthia Torp, Founder of Solid Light and Board Chair. “They have consistently stepped up to guide teams, shape our culture, and drive our success from within. The Board has complete confidence in their vision and ability to steer Solid Light into its next chapter.”
“Growing with this company for many years has given me a deep appreciation for our people, our work, and the trust our clients place in us,” said Marnell. “As COO, I’m excited to lead our next chapter—making sure our operations are as agile, efficient, and reliable as possible and giving our teams the support they need to do their best work and ensuring our clients enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.”
“I’ve had the privilege of watching our firm grow dramatically over the last 24 years. Our team today consistently exercises their talents and passions to create meaningful and dynamic spaces, invest deeply in our clients’ stories, and hold the visitor experience in the regard and respect it deserves,” said Jett. “I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to empower our team, to elevate our design philosophy, and set new standards for innovation and client service.”
