Celebrating 10 Years at Electro-Matic Visual with Alan Nicholson
Alan Nicholson has been a key part of the Electro-Matic Visual team for a decade—and his journey mirrors the incredible evolution of the LED industry itself.
Celebrating 10 Years at Electro-Matic Visual
Where did Alan grow up?
Lansing, Michigan.
Education & Early Career
Alan attended Grand Valley State University, earning a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management. His original dream was to manage a golf resort, and he built a strong foundation in customer service while working at top destinations like JW Marriott Marco Island and The Inn at Bay Harbor near Petoskey, MI. After college, he moved to Chicago and worked in hotel sales—experience that still shapes how he approaches relationships and service today.
How did Alan find Electro-Matic?
When Alan moved back to Michigan from Chicago, a mutual friend introduced him to Electro-Matic. What started as an opportunity to learn a new industry turned into a long-term career. Ten years later, Alan says the signage world is still fascinating—and no two projects are ever the same.
Role at Electro-Matic Visual
Alan is a Regional Sales Manager, specializing in LED signage and LED lighting across Michigan and Indiana. He also supports sales efforts in Illinois, Metro Detroit, and Ohio, regularly attends trade shows and conferences, and uses his expertise to collaborates with marketing efforts.
A Decade of Change: Then vs. Now
“When I started at Electro-Matic in 2015, the LED industry looked very different than it does today—and so did my life.”
Electro-Matic Visual in 2015
- Best pixel pitch sold: 13mm
- 16mm, 20mm, and 25mm were common
- Single-color monochrome displays were still widely used
- Full color was considered an upgrade
- Communication relied on Ethernet or short-range wireless antennas
Electro-Matic Visual in 2025
- Sub-10mm is expected
- Video walls are everywhere
- Scoreboards drive real revenue
- Full color is the baseline—not a luxury
What hasn’t changed in 10 years?
- Relationships still matter most
- Trust always comes first
- Seeing a display light up for the first time never gets old
Over the last decade, Alan estimates he’s logged 250,000+ work miles and helped place LED signs in 44 out of 50 states. The industry evolved fast—but the relationships built along the way mattered most.
Life Along the Way
During his time at Electro-Matic, Alan transitioned from hospitality to LED technology, became a dad to two daughters—Olivia (11) and Harper (9)—and watched them grow up pointing out LED signs everywhere they go. (Fun fact: Alan even attended an early Electro-Matic interview with newborn Olivia because he couldn’t find a babysitter in a brand-new town.)
Fun facts & hobbies
- Married to his wife Lindsey for 15 years
- Avid golfer with two holes-in-one and 65+ putter headcovers
- Big Disney family (Alan is your unofficial Disney trip expert)
- Middle child of three boys—one an electrical engineer in Michigan, the other a U.S. Forest Service Hotshot firefighter
“I’ve learned a lot these last 10 years—sometimes the hard way. But without lessons, there’s no growth. I’m grateful for the customers, partners, teammates, and friends I’ve gained along the way. 10 years down. A lot of pixels still ahead.”