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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Anna is the newest member of our Toledo showroom sales team. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Eastern Michigan University. She is also LEED Green Associate Certified. When not at work, Anna volunteers much of her free time at her church. She also enjoys spending time by the water or hiking and walking outdoors with family and friends.

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.

Armond has worked at Gross Electric since 2014 and has worn many hats during his time here. He started working in the warehouse and moved on to sales at the electrical remodeling center and the electrical supply counter. Currently, he is a Decorative Hardware Sales Associate in our Toledo showroom. He is also a member of the company’s health & wellness committee. Armond has an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from Owens Community College. In addition to cooking, Armond enjoys working out, reading, music, meditation, and travel. He’s always up for a challenging game of chess, as well!

Rochelle is our Ann Arbor showroom manager. She 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.

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.

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.

Tracie has been part of the Ann Arbor showroom sales team since 2016. She is in showroom sales, as well as new business development. She has completed courses through the American Lighting Association to become an ALA Certified Lighting Specialist. Tracie offers a strong design sense to her projects. Her past experience in photography, meetings and show production, furniture and interior design serve as a valuable asset to our team. Getting to know customers and selecting the perfect lighting for their projects is her joy. Additionally, she is passionate about animals and enjoys traveling.

Ryan has been with the Gross Electric team since 2015. He is an ALA Certified Lighting Designer and an expert hardware consultant. He has learned from and loved every experience in the showroom and welcomes all new opportunities! Outside of work, he thoroughly enjoys travelling, eating out, and socializing.

Larry, who is known as “Mr. Fix-It” around here, has been in the lamp repair business and lampshade sales for 30 years.  At almost 80 years old, he’s still at it because, as he says, “It’s just plain fun!”  Larry also served in the United States Navy and the Air National Guard. He lives in Chelsea with Susan, his wife of 56 years. Together they have two sons and four grandkids. His hobbies include building boats and fishing.

Carrie joined the Ann Arbor showroom team in 2018. Her previous experience includes lighting showroom sales and retail visual merchandising. She is currently preparing for her Lighting Specialist certification with the American Lighting Association. Carrie says that what she enjoys most about working at Gross Electric is making her customers happy by solving their lighting needs and finding fixtures that they really love. In her free time, Carrie likes to listen to mid-90’s alternative music or watch movies while hanging out with her cats. She also enjoys going to concerts.

“Came in to pick out a light over my kitchen table. The salesperson (think her name was Erin) was super friendly and helpful. It felt like how I imagine old-time service, where the person works with you for as long as it takes to figure things out.”

– Jessie G. from Yelp

“Gross Electric in Ann Arbor has been our “go to ” store for lighting for many years. This summer, we had our home resided with cement board siding and needed to replace/upgrade most outdoor light fixtures, including two LED motion detector fixtures. We were pleased with the service and selection at the store. Several months later, we had a power surge that adversely affected all electronic in our home. The new motion detector lights were fried. Gross Electric cheerfully gave us replacement lights upon return of the fried ones at no additional cost.”

– John G. from Facebook

“I have always had a very positive experience at Gross Electric. It is my go to store for lighting. I recently had a difficult lighting situation in my kitchen, and Pam stuck with me and came up with a creative solution. I really appreciated her patience and perseverance, and I love my new lights.”

– Gale R. from Facebook

“If there was one place in Ann Arbor I would trust with my lighting it would be here. I just moved into my first place, and they couldn’t have been more helpful (especially for someone with an admittedly poor sense of style). I know my family has been going to them for lights for years and always been happy with the result.”

– Kevin W. from Yelp

“Love Gross Electric!! We send all of our clients to the front showroom for fixtures and our electricians to back service desk for supplies. Gross is a full service electrical supplier and design center. Thanks to Laurie Gross for investing in the Ann Arbor store. The showroom looks great! Many new fixtures on display and the LED experience room helps with understanding all the new technology. Also love the addition of the door and cabinet hardware showcase. Makes selections easy. Our clients always leave happy and my electricians have everything they need. Thanks again Laurie!”

– Laycock Builders from Facebook

“Great selection. Diane is very helpful and gets me what I need at a good price – very knowledgeable.”

– Mark L. from Yelp

“Gross Electric is great. Love those Edison bulbs.”

– Thomas Edison from Horseback Courier