Steve Friedman
Account Director
Steve Friedman brings over 40 years of national account lighting experience and knowledge coming over from the manufacturing side of the industry.
Prior to joining Hermitage in 2020, Steve was with Cree Lighting where he was a VP & Director of Strategic National Accounts for 7.5 years. Prior to that, Steve was with Security Lighting, a division of Hubbell Lighting, and was the VP & General Manager from 1998 – 2012 after rising through the ranks joining the new manufacturing company first as a sales person and then serving as National Account Manager through 1997.
Steve has been working with Hermitage and the generations of the Fleischer family since the late 1980s when they became his first national account distributor customer, and this successful relationship has been maintained since. It seems fitting that this great partnership has now brought us together on Team Hermitage! Steve looks forward to further success on the distribution side of the business and the value of unlimited product offering that this opportunity will make available in servicing national account customers.
A funny fun fact about Steve: his first sale almost didn’t happen when, as a young salesperson, his first meeting with the purchasing manager from an electrical contractor led to immediate order opportunity and need for a buy price for a large quantity of 2x4’s. When Steve replied, “Appreciate the opportunity for order; however, I do not sell lumber,” he later found that the terminology used was the same as lay-in troffers and the rest, as they say, is history.
Steve attended Northern Illinois University where he played hockey. Steve resides in the north suburbs of Chicago along with his wife Mindee and has three children Cory, Ali (twins), and Spencer. Steve is also the grandfather of Leo, Ari, and Grey.
Cell: 847-830-1444 | Email: sfriedman@gohermitage.com