Industry veteran Leonard Schwartz has passed away.
Leonard’s career in the lighting industry began as a factory representative for Lightolier in the late 1950s. Soon after, he went to work as a salesman for Electrical Distributing Company (EDCO) in San Antonio, where he learned the business and eventually purchased EDCO. During that time, he established Southwest Lighting to produce some of his own lighting products for resale and later sold EDCO to concentrate on manufacturing. Southwest Lighting combined with Eagle Lighting before becoming American Lantern.
When American Lantern was winding down operations, Leonard was ready for another challenge. He formed Leonard M. Schwartz and Associates and owned and operated his rep agency for several years before selling his agency to join WAC Lighting, where he enjoyed a 30-year career that spanned roles such as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, sales representative, and consultant.
WAC Lighting Founder Tony Wang noted, “Leonard was one of the finest men I ever met. A gentleman in every sense of the word, he was very generous, kind, and highly successful in his personal and professional life. He was instrumental in helping our family build WAC into the industry leader it has become today.”
Added Shelley Wald, “Leonard meant so much to so many of us. He always inspired people and had a great gift for seeing the best in everyone. By his example, he helped people aspire to be better. We will sorely miss his patient empathy, fierce friendship, and generosity of spirit.”
Leonard is survived by his daughters Beverly Weiser and Joann Raby. His son Hal Schwartz, and grandchildren Sam and Renee, continue to represent the WAC and its affiliated brands. In addition to Sam and Renee, he is also survived by seven other grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
