December 24, 2023

WAC Lighting founder Tony Wang (above right, with Tai Wang and Leonard Schwartz) has announced that highly respected industry veteran Leonard Schwartz has died.

According to Mr. Wang, “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.”

“Leonard meant so much to so many of us,” said Shelley Wald, co-CEO of WAC Lighting. “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 Schwartz was employed by WAC for more than three decades, serving as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sales Representative and consultant. He is survived by his daughters Beverly Weiser and Joann Raby. His son Hal Schwartz, and grandchildren Sam and Renee, continue to represent WAC and its affiliated brands. In addition to Sam and Renee, he is also survived by seven other grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Leonard Schwartz enjoyed a long career in the lighting industry, starting as a factory representative for Lightolier in the late 1950s. Soon thereafter, he went to work as a salesman for Electrical Distributing Company (EDCO) in San Antonio. He learned the business and eventually purchased EDCO several years later. During this time, he established Southwest Lighting to produce some of his own lighting products for resale. He sold EDCO and concentrated on manufacturing. Southwest Lighting was 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. He owned and operated his rep business for a few years before selling his agency to concentrate full-time on his next and last career journey with his beloved WAC family.

Photo credit: WAC Lighting