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By: Stewart Catso
Web site: http://www.lamps-n-lighting.com
Benson Lighting of Miami, Florida has been purchased
by Ric and Rebecca Jolie. The retail lighting
showroom was founded in 1963 by John Benson andn
was acquired in 1973 by Dick and Nancy Cole in
1973 who, together, developed the business into
a leading lighting and fan retailer serving the
residential, commercial and, export markets.
The Jolies contracted with the Coles in 1994
to manage all aspects of the operation, work towards
and ownership equity position and, relieve the
Coles from their direct involvement in the company.
During their tenure of management leading up to
the acquisition, the Jolies have been responsible
for the sales, amrketing, purchasing, merchandising,
personnel and. financial direction fo the business.
Prior to joining Benson Lighting, Ric and Rebecca
Jolie held various management and executive postitions
at lighting distributors in the northeast, including
Economy Electric Supply (Hartford, CT) Mass Gas
and Electric (Boston, MA) and, Shemitz Lighting
(Milford CT).With over 25 years in the lighting
industry, Ric Jolie has also been active in the
American Lighting Association and is a former
President of the northeast chapter of the Illuminating
Engineering Society. Rebecca Jolie, an ALA Lighting
Specialist with 16 years experience in the lighting
industry, directs the custom resisdential and
commercial lighting departments at Benson Lighting.
With the change of ownership, Ric anticipates
no fundamental changes in the operation. "The
model for success was firmly established by Dick
and Nancy Cole. We now only intend to improve
upon that formula without any radical changes
in market focus and/or internal strategies",
stated Ric when asked about the future direction
of the business. The retailer will continue to
be named Benson Lighting.
The transfer of ownership of Benson Lighting
and the 40th anniversary of the business was celebrated
at a gala function held in Key Biscayne Florida.
The event was attended by lighting mnufacturer
owners, executive, sales representaives and friends
and business colleagues of both the Coles and
the Jolies.
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