About

Laurie has over 40 years of experience in the lighting industry and is the only American Lighting Association Certified Lighting Consultant in Northwest Ohio. She has a BA in Marketing and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Laurie has a passion for lighting design and for learning about the latest lighting technology, which she incorporates into her customers’ projects. In her free time, Laurie enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Kristen is our Outside Sales Development Representative. Prior to moving into this new position, she was the Toledo Showroom Manager. Before coming to Gross Electric in March of 2014, she worked for 16 years at a local floor coverings store — four years as an Account Manager and 12 as the Showroom Manager. Kristen has a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Bowling Green State University, and has earned her Lighting Specialist certification from the American Lighting Association. In her free time, Kristen loves to travel, do crafts, and attend Broadway shows and concerts.

Samantha has over five years of experience in lighting design and is currently working as a Builder Sales Representative in Toledo. Her introduction to the lighting field started with an internship at Gross Electric while studying for her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and minor in Sustainability at Bowling Green State University. While studying, she became a LEED Green Associate in 2012, which provides her with up-to-date understanding of the most current green building principles and practices. With her degree, she learned basic design techniques, space planning, color matching, and how to create an overall stimulating environment. Upon graduation in 2013, she became an American Lighting Association Lighting Specialist with Gross Electric, providing her with extensive knowledge in light sources, lighting fixtures, and residential lighting design.

Elizabeth is a Showroom Sales Associate with certification as a LEED Green Associate (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). She has a diverse educational background, earning a BA from Arizona State University and an MA from the University of Colorado – Denver. She is currently working on a BS in Interior Design from Bowling Green State University. In addition to continuing her love of learning on the job, she also enjoys the day-to-day variety of working in a lighting showroom and the one-on-one interaction with her customers.

Mike has 50 years of experience in the lighting industry. His career with Gross Electric started in 1965 at the electrical supply counter at our downtown Toledo store. Through the years, Mike has worked in almost every department of the company — electrical supplies, electric heat, commercial lighting, showroom sales, and builder sales — and has helped to open several branch locations. He currently works part time in showroom sales, and enjoys spending as much time as possible out on the golf course!

Cody began his career at Gross Electric working in the warehouse, then moved into showroom sales, and is now the Assistant Showroom Manager. Since moving into the showroom a few years ago, Cody has earned his American Lighting Association certification and is a Landscape Lighting Specialist and Lighting Controls Specialist. When he’s not working, Cody enjoys listening to music and playing sports.

Kim is a Sales Associate in our Toledo showroom. She brings broad sales experience with her, including selling kitchens and office furniture. Kim enjoys doing embroidery, reading, and travelling. She is also involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Natalie has been part of our Toledo showroom sales team since 2016. She has a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a minor in Marketing from Bowling Green State University. She is happy to be putting her degree to work as a Sales Associate in our Toledo showroom. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys binge watching Netflix, running, and doing crafts.

Allen is our Toledo showroom manager. He attended St. John’s Jesuit high school and the University of Toledo, and has over 13 years of restaurant management and sales experience. Allen enjoys getting to know our customers and helping them find solutions to their lighting needs. When not at work, he loves watching movies and going out to eat with his wife, Alison, and daughter, Eleanore. His other hobbies include cooking and playing guitar.

Dakota is the newest member of our Toledo showroom sales team. He has an Associate’s degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University and has previously worked in furniture sales. His favorite part of working at Gross Electric is creating relationships with our clients and helping them find the products they want for their homes. Outside of work, Dakota volunteers his time as a spokesman for The Littlest Heroes Childhood Cancer Organization. He enjoys listening to all types of music, but his favorite is country music. He also likes going to concerts, food contests, and baseball games with his friends. Go Indians!

Pete is the Decorative Hardware Manager at our Toledo showroom. He’s been part of the Gross Electric team since April of 2012, but he’s been selling hardware for over three decades. Pete joined his father in the family’s hardware business, Otto C. Buehler & Son, in 1980. He worked with his father and brother for many years, before partnering with Gross Electric. Pete is a born and raised Toledoan, and earned a BA in Education from the University of Toledo. In his free time, Pete enjoys exercising and running, and volunteers with the Toledo Roadrunners Association and the Glass City Marathon.

As a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Interior Design, Jessica has applied her education toward her career with Gross Electric. Over the past 11 years, she has moved her way up from showroom sales to showroom manager, and is now working in Builder Sales & Lighting Design at our Ann Arbor store. Jessica has continued her education by completing coursework through the American Lighting Association to become an ALA Certified Lighting Specialist. She enjoys working with builders, designers, electricians, and home owners on their lighting design and fixture selection, and hopes to help Gross Electric grow its residential lighting business in the Ann Arbor area.

Samantha began working as a Sales Associate in our Ann Arbor showroom, and has moved up to Showroom Manager. She has a BA in Psychology and has earned her Lighting Specialist certification from the American Lighting Association. One of the highlights of her job has been attending the International Lighting Market at the Dallas Market Center to see all of the new lighting technology and styles. In her free time, Samantha enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Erin graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. While at EMU, she was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers’ student chapter and the U.S. Green Building Council’s student chapter. In 2013, Erin became a Sales Associate at Gross Electric in the Ann Arbor showroom, where her enthusiasm for creating lighting solutions for her clients continues to grow. Since working at Gross Electric, she has earned her Lighting Specialist certification from the American Lighting Association and hopes to become an ALA Certified Lighting Consultant. She is also involved in the decorative hardware department and is able to lay out the hardware design for kitchens and bathrooms.

Pam began working at Gross Electric in customer service in 1992. Through the years, she moved into showroom sales, and has worked her way up to assistant showroom manager and showroom manager at our Ann Arbor store. Her continuing desire to learn more led her to become an American Lighting Association Certified Lighting Consultant in 2006. Since 2008, Pam has worked in showroom and builder sales. She works with builders for both remodels and new construction. She also uses her expertise to assist customers with the blueprint layouts for their lighting and fixture selection. Pam says, “The technology within the lighting world is changing rapidly, and I learn something new every day. Sharing my ideas, problem solving, and being creative while designing a lighting space is very exciting for me.”

Paul has been part of the Gross Electric showroom sales team for almost 20 years! He started working in the Toledo showroom, and was the showroom manager there for one year. He has been working in our Ann Arbor showroom since 2002. Paul has a BFA from the University of Toledo and is an ALA Certified Lighting Specialist. He says that the best part of his job is “working new construction jobs that let me be creative.” He also enjoys learning about and using new LED technology. In his free time, Paul enjoys music and the fine arts and volunteers at The Ark, a music venue in Ann Arbor.

Rochelle is a seasoned Hardware Consultant with over 15 years experience in the decorative hardware business. Rochelle’s experience includes selling decorative hardware and lighting to home owners and some of southeast Michigan’s top home builders, architects, and designers. She continues to gain knowledge from a variety of sales and product trainings from some of the best known manufacturers in the industry. Outside of work, Rochelle is very involved with her kids and their sports teams and enjoys spending time at their family cottage in northern Michigan.

Ryan has been working at Gross Electric for over two years as a Showroom Sales Associate in Ann Arbor. He also helps to create our beautiful showroom displays. He says that his favorite part of the job is helping customers fulfill their decorative lighting needs. When not at work, he enjoys singing, acting, dancing, designing, and hanging out with friends and family.

Tracie is a Sales Associate in our Ann Arbor showroom. Her past experience in photography, meetings production, furniture and design serve as valuable assets to our team. Getting to know customers and working with them to create a personalized lighting design is Tracie’s favorite part of working for Gross Electric. Additionally, Tracie is passionate about animals and donates frequently to the Washtenaw County Animal Shelter. In her spare time, Tracie enjoys traveling, watching movies, and attending Tigers games with her family.

Phil is one of the newest members of our Ann Arbor showroom sales team. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northern Michigan University. In addition to having previous sales experience with lighting and electrical supplies, he has sold everything from meat & seafood to drum sets. When he’s not working at Gross Electric, Phil plays drums in a local ragtime/swing band. He enjoys playing and listening to all styles of music, but his favorites are jazz and soul. Phil is also a fan of science fiction movies, books, and video games.

Karley joined our showroom sales team in Ann Arbor in May of 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Her education was leading her toward a career in medicine, when she realized that she needed to do something that was more creative and artsy. This calling led her to the Interior Design program at Eastern Michigan University, where she is currently a student. She says that she always has a sewing project going, whether it’s clothing for herself, stuffed animals for a friend’s baby shower, or costumes for the Renaissance Fair. She also loves to go hiking, camping, and kayaking with her husband.

At Gross Electric, we take the functionality and safety of your project very seriously. That’s why we maintain membership in the top electrical and lighting associations in America.

Memberships:

• American Lighting Association (ALA)
• National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)
• Lighting One
• Energy Star Partner
• BBB Accredited Business
• Imark
• Toledo Home Pros
• WBE/DBE Certification
• Home Builders Association of Greater Toledo (HBA)
• Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor (BRAG)
• Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce

Gross Electric is pleased to support the worthwhile work done by non-profit organizations throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.  Here is a sampling of our recent corporate philanthropy:

Toledo Community Foundation

“We would like to thank you for your gift for the Big League Sponsorship for the Helping Hens Fund at the Toledo Community Foundation.  Your gift, along with those of other community-minded individuals, will help the Toledo Community Foundation in its mission to improve the quality of life in the region, now and in future years.”

— Keith Burwell, President

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio and the children who are at risk in our community, we sincerely thank you for donating 30 Toledo Walleye Hockey tickets for the 2016 season for the children we serve.  It is community businesses, such as Gross Electric, who make it possible for us to provide the highest quality of services to the children in our community.”

— Johnny Mickler, President/CEO

Community Care Clinics

“Students for Medical Missions, Community Care Clinics, and American Medical Student Association would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your donation to this year’s Medicine Ball. The night’s proceeds will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of those in need in our community and around the world.”

— The University of Toledo College of Medicine

Bethany House

“Thank you for choosing to support Bethany House’s efforts at your special event!  Your contribution and all your hard work is so appreciated and really makes a difference for the families we serve!”

— Deidra Lashley MPH, LSW, Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley

“Thank you so much for supporting Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley at our Bid to Build: Annual Gala & Auction!  We love Gross Electric!”

— Carmen, Event Organizer

Mobile Meals of Toledo

“We gratefully acknowledge your donation to Mobile Meals of Toledo.  Your contribution will help us in continuing to assist the elderly, ill, disabled, and homebound in remaining in their homes, retaining their dignity and independence that is very important to us all.”

— Maureen Stevens, Executive Director

Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank

“Thank you for your generous donation to the 14th Annual Harvest of Thanks: Dinner, Dance & Auction.  Your generous contribution will provide people in 8 counties with food for their families.”

— Debbie Deiger & Hope Finch, Harvest of Thanks Co-Chairs

Gross Electric provides ongoing support to the following organizations: