About Us

LAI, Ltd. is a manufacturers’ representative firm serving the Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Markets in Northern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, and Wisconsin since 1958.

We represent manufacturers who design, develop, and build some of the finest equipment and most innovative processes available. We have recently added several new companies to our product offerings. Each of these companies have websites detailing their products.

History

Herb Ley founded Ley & Associates (LAI, Ltd.) in 1958. Mr. Ley was formerly an Engineer with Chicago Pump Company located in Chicago, IL. LAI, Ltd. operated as a sole proprietorship from 1958 until 1975. In 1975, Jay Jones and John Halvorsen joined LAI, Ltd. as equal partners. The company operated as a Sub Chapter S until the retirement of Herb Ley in 1978.

The Company was then incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1978. John Halvorsen left the company to pursue other interests and Jay Jones was the sole owner from 1985 to 2000. The Company was then transitioned and sold to Dave Crain and Tim Tack.  In 2014 the company transitioned ownership to its current owners, Tim Tack, Pete Lynch, and Richard Hussey.

Employees

Timothy A. Tack P.E. (President / Outside Sales Associate)
Since joining LAI, Ltd. in 1997, Tim has worked as an outside salesman and office manager. Prior to LAI, Ltd., Tim worked for R.H. Anderson & Associates as a project engineer, designing and constructing Water & Wastewater Facilities throughout Northern Illinois. Tim graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. Tim is past president and treasurer of CSWEA.

Peter Lynch (Vice President / Outside Sales Associate)
Pete joined LAI, Ltd. in June of 2000. Prior to LAI, Ltd., Pete worked for Waterlink / Hycor in their service, engineering and sales departments. Pete brings a strong manufacturing background to the Company in start-up and troubleshooting, drafting and design, and sales and marketing. Pete is the past president of the Fox Valley Operators Group, and currently serves on the MARC committee for IWEA / ISAWWA. Pete became a partner in 2014.

Richard Hussey P.E. (Vice President / Outside Sales Associate)
Rich joined LAI, Ltd. in March 2004. Prior to working at LAI, Ltd., Rich worked for Strand Associates as a project manager and project engineer. He established a client base that allowed him to work on various wastewater and water treatment plant projects. Rich graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS and MS in Environmental Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. Rich has served various roles within CSWEA and is currently on the Education Seminar Committee.  He is also a Board Member for the Ground Hog Club. Rich became a partner in 2014.

Rachel M. Lee P.E. (Outside Sales Associate)
Rachel joined LAI, Ltd. in January 2020. Prior to working at LAI, Ltd., Rachel was a technical sales manager for Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies, Inc. helping wastewater utilities across the country develop phosphorus solutions. Prior to that, she worked at Strand Associates in Madison, WI for nearly a decade and Jordan, Jones, & Goulding in Atlanta, GA for four years. In her consulting career, Rachel helped water and wastewater clients develop solutions for a wide variety of challenges covering the full treatment process. Rachel graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. Rachel has served numerous roles within CSWEA and is currently the Wisconsin Section Chair.

Shea Meyers (Outside Sales Associate)
Shea re-joined LAI, Ltd. in June 2020. Prior to working at LAI, Ltd., Shea was the district representative/project manager for the Snowmass Water & Sanitation District in Colorado for three years, helping with the construction upgrades of the wastewater plant. Prior to that, Shea worked at Walter E Deuchler & Assoc in Aurora, IL for nearly fourteen years. In his consulting career, Shea was the resident engineer for multiple wastewater construction projects in northern Illinois. Shea graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BS in Industrial Technology and a focus in construction management.

Drew Zeipen E.I.T. (Outside Sales Associate)
Drew joined LAI, Ltd. in January 2023. Prior to working at LAI Ltd., Drew was the District Engineer/Project Manager for Fox Metro Water Reclamation District for almost three years. Drew was responsible for all aspects of design, permitting, and construction for the wastewater utility. Prior to that, Drew worked as a Consulting Engineer with AECOM and Burns and McDonnel supporting the water, wastewater, and civil markets. Drew graduated from The University of Iowa with a BS in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Engineer in Training in the State of Illinois.

Michael Atkins (Project Manager)
Michael joined LAI, Ltd in September 2020. Prior joining LAI, Ltd, Michael worked as an Application Engineer for over four years with WesTech Engineering Inc. helping treatment facilities upgrade and design their headworks capabilities. Michael graduated from Bradley University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He serves as inside support for the outside salesmen, as well as handling engineering submittals, O&M Coordination and managing overall project execution.

Dustin Treat (Project Manager)
Dustin joined LAI, Ltd. in June 2022.  Prior to working at LAI, Ltd., Dustin was a Project Manager for Evoqua Water Technologies in Thomasville, GA for over four years, focused on projects within the wastewater market.  Prior to that, Dustin worked as Applications and Sales support for Odessa Pumps and Equipment in Houston, TX for over six years, with focus on the oil & gas and industrial markets.  Before joining Odessa Pumps, Dustin worked for Griswold Pump Company for 3 years, providing Applications Engineering support to customers over a wide variety of markets including industrial, water, oil & gas, and chemical.  He serves as inside support for the outside salesmen, as well as handling engineering submittals, O&M coordination, and managing overall project execution.

Mary S. Healy (Administrative / Aftermarket)
Mary has spent the last 20 years at LAI, Ltd. working as an administrative assistant and handling the aftermarket sales. Mary ensures the customer’s aftermarket needs for parts and service are handled promptly and efficiently enabling the outside salesmen to concentrate on new business. She also handles all of the accounts receivable and expenditures for buy and resell products. Prior to joining LAI, Ltd., Mary worked for Worthington Pump as an administrative assistant and parts salesperson.

Bailey Engle (Inside Sales / Aftermarket)
Bailey joined LAI, Ltd. in April of 2017. She serves as inside support for the outside salesman, as well as handles small quotes (under $5,000.00), engineering submittals and O&M Coordination, and aftermarket parts orders.

Josie Barrera (Inside Sales Support)
Josie joined LAI, Ltd. in June 2022. She serves as inside support for the outside salesman, as well as handles small quotes (under $5,000.00), engineering submittals and O&M Coordination, and aftermarket parts orders.