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.

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!

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!

Phil is our Lighting Controls & LED Specialist. He is also the purchaser for our lighting control products. 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.

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.

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 has been promoted to Assistant Showroom Manager. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Krystal is one of the newest members of our Ann Arbor showroom sales team. She has previous experience in furniture sales and interior design. Krystal believes she is learning something new every day she is at Gross Electric, and likes sharing new lighting ideas with her customers. She enjoys travelling, hiking, and fishing with family and friends. When not exploring new places in the outdoors, she relaxes by watching cooking shows. Krystal is also involved with the Long Beach Rescue Mission.

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.

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: