It’s bittersweet news. While we wish she could stay with Team TLA forever, Laura Mann is retiring after 28 years as part of the TLA family, with 20 years in Outside Specification Sales.

It isn’t easy to express the significant impact Laura has had on our team and the Colorado lighting community. Our whole team wishes Laura the best, and Jason Fisher, TLA President, wanted to share some words on our behalf:

“I want to thank Laura for her time at The Lighting Agency and the outstanding work and friendships she has developed. Laura Mann has been an incredible ambassador for TLA and the design community.

Our team has benefitted greatly from her contributions. We wish Laura and her family the best in her ventures moving forward. She will always be a part of the TLA Family!”
– Jason Fisher

Take a trip down memory lane with Laura as she reflects on 28 years at TLA.

My husband Marcus and I ready for a TLA Holiday Party

Team TLA

What was your path to TLA?

I graduated from Clemson University (Go Tigers ) with an electrical engineering degree and started my career with the “Mother Ship of Lighting,” Acuity Brands, which was then called Lithonia Lighting.

I worked in various sectors of that lighting world, including being a part of the team that launched Visual, the lighting calculation program we still use today. I also taught Basic Engineering classes to new employees and wrote and presented research work at the IES conference.

I took a brief sabbatical from Lithonia Lighting and ran my own business selling high-end artwork, after which I did some additional special project work for Lithonia. I headed for the Colorado Rockies with my Jeep, dog, and cat. Alas, I was soon found by Art Fisher while hiding away in Steamboat Springs.

“I will never forget the first time I met Art. I immediately thought, “I could work for this man!” Within the hour, we had made a deal that I would stay in Colorado and become part of the TLA family in Outside Specification Sales.”

It was a tough phone call to make to the Vice President of Lithonia when I told him I was not coming back. However, the silver lining was knowing I could still support Lithonia through my work at TLA. And, 28 years later, TLA’s relationship with Acuity Brands continues to flourish.

Our three kids, Austin, Blake, and Claire, with our beloved sweet dog Jade.

Looking back, could you share some reflections on what you’re most proud of?

I am most proud of raising three amazing children while building a successful and fulfilling career.

My kids—the reason for everything that I do!

My husband is from NY, and I am from GA, so we had no family close by in Denver to help support us as we built our family. We had three kids within 5 years, so it was a full-court press… just the two of us versus the three of them!

But they say that if you need something done, ask a busy person—and I live by that. We have three amazing kids who are doing amazing things for this world.

Blake’s graduation from Belmont University School of Music

Proud parents with our Ivy League girl Claire

“I am also very proud of the fulfilling work I’ve done alongside my clients, some of whom I have known and worked with for 28 years.”

It is a true joy to reflect on these partnerships with clients who trust that I will help them do what is right and needed for their projects and for whom I recognize that long-term relationships trump a single order every time!

I have been so touched by the personal notes and gifts I have received since my retirement announcement, and I am so grateful to have been trusted as a partner in their work.

Connecting with long-time clients for a last meeting before my retirement

What are some of your favorite memories at TLA?

Some of my best memories are related to Art Fisher, the founder of TLA and my mentor. Art was like a second father to me; he believed in me, always looked out for me, and gave me the opportunity to build a fulfilling career at TLA.

I recall having lunch with him while taking some time off to care for my three kiddos, and he asked me if I would return to work. This was after he repeatedly phoned me asking, “Are you ready to come back yet, Laura?” You’ve got to love his persistence!

I responded by telling Art that I wasn’t sure I was the person he wanted since I already had a full-time job at home with my family. I’ll never forget what he said next: that having some of Laura’s time was better than not having any of Laura’s time at all.

“I am eternally grateful for Art’s persistence and that he knew and respected me enough to understand the dedication I would bring to my work at TLA despite my responsibilities at home.”

With my great client Lisa Bartlett at one of TLA’s famous Rockies Opening Day events

A client manufacturer visit to Eureka Lighting in Montreal

Life in retirement

What’s next?

I have worked since I was 11 years old, beginning with the company that my dad started, Belco Electric, where he is a PE and running his own electrical contracting firm. So, the idea of retirement is a bit scary, as I don’t do well sitting around… but it’s also exciting!

As a working mother of three and the oldest of six kids, I have spent a lot of time where I’ve needed to be for others, and with my mind full of decisions like ‘which fixture,’ ‘which sample,’ or ‘which sports equipment or costume needs to be where for which client and which kid…”

“Now, I am entering a stage of life that allows me to make interesting, new choices and decide what I want to do and when I want to do it! I am sure it will bring many new projects and adventures!”

This is what happens when your last kid leaves for college!

Meet Lola, our newest family member, here with our oldest son Austin, the finance wiz!

What do you plan to do with your free time?

Everything! My first order of business is to get the braces I’ve needed since I was a teenager. Then, I will finally make baby books for my three children because clearly, there hasn’t been any time for that yet.

I am looking forward to spending time on the East Coast with my family and planning to travel extensively.   Our family has enjoyed volunteering with Food for Thought, so we’ll continue with that, and I plan to spend time engaging with Veteran support groups as well.

Family bike riding at Crested Butte

What activities do you currently enjoy, and what new things do you want to try?

“I love to ski, run, and bike ride. I’m looking forward to having more time for those activities. And, of course, I suppose I’ll have to take up knitting… because I’ve heard that’s what retired ladies do!”

Mann Family ski trip at Wolf Creek for Mom’s big birthday!

My long-time colleague Jeff Kellner and I at NEOCAN’T show

Is there a message you would like to share with team members and clients?

I am so very grateful for the trust of my clients and the camaraderie of my co-workers.

“TLA became my Colorado family, and I now have lifelong friends among my clients and co-workers. I look forward to hanging out on my back patio together!”

Connecting with wonderful clients at the Launch at Lunch industry event

I want to give a special shout-out to my most trusted and longtime Spec Sales partners at TLA, Chris Davis and Bob Hawkins, who have been with me for the long haul and for who I am eternally grateful to have had alongside supporting my spec work.

Could you share some words of wisdom with us?

Be grateful! Be genuine! Be kind! Be respectful! Work hard because it’s the right thing to do, not because someone is watching.

And remember…

“None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody—a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony, or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots.” – Thurgood Marshall

— With love and gratitude from your Georgia girl, Laura