Spira is one of 24inductees to receive this prestigious designation
Coopersburg, PA (March 12, 2012) – Lutron Electronics is pleased to announce that Joel Spira, its Founder, Owner and Director of Research, has been inducted into the Lehigh County Bicentennial Hall of Fame. The induction took place on Saturday, March 10, in conjunction with the Lehigh County Bicentennial celebration in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The Lehigh County has been home to Lutron since 1961, when Spira started the business in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. He relocated the business to Coopersburg in 1970 and to this day, runs the company’s global operations from the same campus he built more than 40 years ago.
“Joel Spira was a clear choice for the inaugural class of the Lehigh County Hall of Fame," said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, chairman of the Lehigh County Bicentennial Committee, which created the Hall of Fame. "He is already in the equivalent of the United States "Hall of Fame" with his papers and designs of the first dimmer switch in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., right next to the work of Thomas Edison. Mr. Spira is an American treasure and we are proud that he calls Lehigh County home and that he chose to build Lutron Electronics, Inc. here," said Cunningham.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as an inaugural Hall of Fame inductee,” said Spira. “I’ve called this area home for more than 50 years – both personally and professionally – and find it to be one of the most charming areas to raise a family and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the community.”
Other Bicentennial Hall of Fame inductees, all with ties to Lehigh County, include Former Chrysler Corporation CEO, Lee Iacocca; Marley & Me author John Grogan; Superbowl Champions Dan Koppen and Matt Millen; and a host of otherathletes, celebrities and notable personalities.
The Lehigh County has been home to Lutron since 1961, when Spira started the business in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. He relocated the business to Coopersburg in 1970 and to this day, runs the company’s global operations from the same campus he built more than 40 years ago.
“Joel Spira was a clear choice for the inaugural class of the Lehigh County Hall of Fame," said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, chairman of the Lehigh County Bicentennial Committee, which created the Hall of Fame. "He is already in the equivalent of the United States "Hall of Fame" with his papers and designs of the first dimmer switch in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., right next to the work of Thomas Edison. Mr. Spira is an American treasure and we are proud that he calls Lehigh County home and that he chose to build Lutron Electronics, Inc. here," said Cunningham.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as an inaugural Hall of Fame inductee,” said Spira. “I’ve called this area home for more than 50 years – both personally and professionally – and find it to be one of the most charming areas to raise a family and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the community.”
Other Bicentennial Hall of Fame inductees, all with ties to Lehigh County, include Former Chrysler Corporation CEO, Lee Iacocca; Marley & Me author John Grogan; Superbowl Champions Dan Koppen and Matt Millen; and a host of otherathletes, celebrities and notable personalities.
About the Lehigh County Bicentennial
Lehigh County was created 200 years ago during America’s infancy, just as our young nation was preparing to go to war again with Great Britain in the War of 1812. And, just as those Americans persevered, overcame adversity and prospered, the original inhabitants of this county of rolling farmlands and the young city of Allentown built a foundation for the future. During the last two centuries Lehigh County has welcomed waves of immigrants and continued to grow, becoming a large and diverse metropolitan county with about 350,000 people while still maintaining a quiet charm and rich quality of life.
About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)
Lutron Electronics, headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures energy-saving lighting controls, automated window treatments and appliance modules for both residential and commercial applications. Its innovative, intuitive products can be used to control everything from a single light, to every light, shade and even stand-by power in a home or commercial building. Lutron products make any space more versatile, while enhancing ambiance, comfort and productivity. They also save energy and make light bulbs last longer, making them an eco-friendly addition to the home and workplace. Founded in 1961, Lutron estimates that the installed base of its products saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. Lutron manufactures more than 16,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries around the world.
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