Lou Hall Biography

Lou is a native Californian, born in Fresno in 1940. He married his wife, DeeDee in 1977. He is a father and grandfather.

In his youth he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Lou has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management of Human Resources. He also has had a California General Contractor’s License) and has been a Vocational Sales and Customer Trainer. His early career includes assignments as kitchen and bath design consultant, general manager and director of sales for various design and construction firms.

Although he is attempting to retire, he is the owner of Residential Design Consultants, a firm specializing in distinctive residential (both new and re-construction) design with special expertise in kitchen and bath design. He is a past member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). While a member of the NKBA he was certified as a Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBA). Lou has earned numerous awards in design competitions sponsored by the NKBA. His designs and articles have been featured in the industries leading magazines and journals. In 1992 the NKBA selected Lou as a national “Member of the Year.” He also was included in the 1994-95 National Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.

Lou started collecting insulators in 1970 when he found a sack full of glass in a barn on a ranch his parents had purchased. After a hiatus of eighteen years he renewed his interest in the hobby. Lou and DeeDee have been members of the NIA since 1999. Their first NIA participation was in the 2001 Western Regional in Medford, Oregon. Here, fellow collectors saw his first exhibit of insulator mounting pins and brackets. His passion for collecting mounting pins and brackets has earned him the title “The Pin Man.”

Lou and his wife are also Lifetime Members of the Golden State Insulator Club. Both were volunteers that assisted with the 2003 NIA Western Regional and 2005, 36th National Show and Convention held in San Jose, California. He was a co-host of the 2011, 42^ndNIA National Show and Convention held in San Jose, California

Lou is also a member of the Transcontinental Telegraph Research Group, a research team working to rediscover the route of the Transcontinental Telegraph built in 1861. Annual treks over the past years into the Nevada desert and continuing research has generated a wealth of information about this historical event. This research, although a work in progress, has led to the development of a permanent display in the Churchill County Museum, Fallon, Nevada.

Lou has served the NIA as Chairman of the Awards and Recognitions Committee (2005 – 2008), Western Region Vice President (2008 – 2010), and currently is President of the Association (2010 – 2014).

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