Joe LiPuma | President

Like so many people in our industry, I came to it early. My father was an electrical contractor, and I worked with him virtually from the time I was old enough to hold a screwdriver and aim a flashlight. By the time I was in high school I was working with him summers, and then after college, as a union electrician, I worked with him for four years before leaving to start my own business.

In 1992, after seven years of working seven days a week and growing my business to 15 employees, I switched to the other side of the counter when I joined CLS, one of New England’s largest independent lighting distributors, known for its total commitment to customer service. At CLS, my experience as a contractor—the fact that I could read a print and occasionally suggest a better way to run a circuit— helped me build customer relationships that lasted over many years.

A major turning point for me came in 2003 when I became regional manager for all of Connecticut. I had a great team, and together we took control of our costs while aggressively closing orders, becoming CLS’ top region in both revenue and profit. Later, in 2008, I put that experience to good use as New England Director of Sales for Rexel Capitol Light as we helped our customers deal with the economic downturn.

Now, at Reflex Lighting Group of Connecticut, I’m building on everything I’ve learned as a contractor and a distributor to bring new levels of service to our market. In the end, it’s always about service.