NALMCO^®: What is your company’s history? 
Hall: As the daughter of a Nashville electrical contractor, I learned the electrical business at an early age. My entrepreneurial journey as a business owner started with two business failures. During this period of time, I was totally unprepared to go into business and did not understand what it took to be successful. Now, I know that success is not a lucky break, nor is it an accident of birth. In 1990, I was out of a job and a single parent. This was certainly a crossroad in my life. Learning from my previous experiences, I had the knowledge and maturity to know how to succeed this time. Success was my choice. Not only did my father give me an entrepreneurial spirit, he instilled in my life a passion and a love of the electrical business. I decided to try again and began Stones River Electric with myself and one electrician. Stones River was structured entirely different than my previous businesses. I began with a good business plan with an emphasis on diversification, maintenance contracts and specialty work. At that time, I didn’t realize that lighting was an industry apart from electrical construction. Never having heard of the phase “group re-lamping,” I felt it was a waste of time and money to replace “perfectly good light bulbs.” As a result, I became intrigued with the lighting management and began researching this industry. There was a company in Nashville named Light Incorporated that had been in business since the late 1950’s. I contacted the owner of Light Incorporated. In our conversations, I found he wanted to sell the company. This business was so fascinating that we ended up purchasing Light Incorporated in 1993. 

NALMCO^®: What is your typical customer?
Hall: Most lighting upgrades and energy efficient projects are performed for Energy Service Companies and major end-users. This work is both industrial and commercial. We perform lighting maintenance, route service and install Energy Management Systems for national account clients and industry manufacturers. In the middle Tennessee area, we perform electrical and lighting maintenance for all markets.

NALMCO^®: How do you make your business stand out from others?
Hall: Our marketing strategy has included a major emphasis on industry associations and educational programs. We sell our company by proving to our clients that Stones River is the most knowledgeable firm in the industry and will perform to the highest level of expertise. 
 
NALMCO^®: What do you like most about your work?  What keeps it interesting each day?
Hall: I have learned to continue to look at the larger picture and not dwell on the negatives that invariably come in business. When one door closes, another opens. Almost always, that open door is full of opportunities. I’m always looking for open doors. Change is good. Companies that learn to manage change are in the best position to continue to take the risks needed to stay out front. This keeps it interesting.

NALMCO^®: How do you educate your customers about changes in lighting and technologies that impact their businesses?
Hall: We start by educating our employees. Stones River has key individuals with extensive design capabilities and experience related to the lighting management industry. This is accomplished by the extensive training and educational programs offered to our staff and field personnel. When our staff works with clients, they have the ability to impart this education. Our clients believe that we are the experts.

NALMCO^®: What is your greatest award or accomplishment?
Hall: I have been extremely blessed over the past twenty years, having seen much success and achieved many desired accomplishments. Some of these include: Distinguished Service Award (NALMCO®), Business Woman of the Year (Tennessee) and 2009 Woman of Influence (Nashville). However, my greatest gift has been that I achieved my dream which was to have a successful company and continue the legacy my father started. Having the opportunity to work with my son, Rob and witness him becoming a leader in the lighting industry has been rewarding. We share the same passion for the business and as a result of our efforts; we have built a company that continues our family tradition.

NALMCO^®: Overall what has your career brought to your life?
Hall: Great friends, treasured memories and economic freedom to do the things I enjoy.  Secondly, I’m hopeful that I have given back to the industry that has given me so much.

Full Interview

Other Member Spotlights:

Jami Hall, CLMC, President - Stones River Electric

George B. Irwin, CLMC, President/Owner - Lighting Service, Inc.

Leo Murray, IV - AMPRO Power Solutions, Inc.

Tom W. Phillips, Vice President and CLST - Efficient Lighting & Maintenance, Inc. (EL&M) 

William Shank, CEO - Lighting Technologies 

Edward Snyder - Apollo Lighting & Recycling Services, Inc. 

Lee Wingate, President - Future Lighting Services