Lashier prepares to step down as Hall of Pride leader

Jack Lashier, director of the Iowa Hall of Pride, has announced his retirement.

Lashier’s family moved to Clear Lake from Jefferson, Iowa in 1967 when his father became Superintendent of Schools here.  He was a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa at the time and spent his summers working for Reinhart Andersen’s construction company during his summers at home.  He has continued to maintain his Clear Lake ties.  He and his wife, Kathy, purchased a home on the lake in 2004 and have enjoyed long weekends and holidays here for the past 13 years.

Lashier began his career with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) in 1996 when long-time Executive Director, Bernie Saggau, hired him to become director of Special Projects.  His work included the creation and development of the Iowa Hall of Pride, a showcase for the accomplishments of Iowans.

The 26,000 square foot attraction opened in the Iowa Events Center on February 2005 under Lashier’s leadership and he has served as its director.  Originally intended to be built on the campus of the IHSAA in Boone, it then moved to the west lawn of the Iowa State Capitol, back to Boone, and finally became permanently located within the Iowa Events Center.

Lashier shared that from the beginning his vision for the Hall of Pride was to pay tribute to all high school activities in an interactive, engaging way using technology. Evolving attractions showcase interviews with outstanding Iowans in all walks of life. Visitors are engaged with interactive exhibits and video presentations and challenged with trivia questions about Iowans who have done everything from space travel to

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professional sports.

“Since it took us eight and one-half years to raise the $13 million it took to build the building, I am just so impressed with the fact that we did something no one else in the USA had done before or since,” said Lashier. He considers his favorite part of the Iowa Hall of Pride to have been the 335 interviews he conducted with outstanding Iowans.

Lashier said that among the many compliments he has received in the 12 years since the Hall of Pride opened, he especially appreciates sentiments shared by his mentor, Bernie Saggau.

“The visionary has told me on numerous occasions that the Iowa Hall of Pride turned out more impressive than the vision he had for it,” said Lashier.  “I am so proud of what we have accomplished in the past 20 years. It is just a great testimony of why Iowa is the best place in the world to live!”

The IHSAA is expected to hire Lashier’s successor this spring.  That person will work with Lashier until his departure in September.

Lashier plans to join his brother, Bob, and son, Andy, in their business called Laser Resources Inc.  About eight-months ago they expanded their company to include large format graphics.  He will continue his connection with Iowa schools by calling on high schools all over the state to share LRI’s re-fresh/re-branding idea with schools that want to refresh their gymnasiums, weight rooms, locker rooms and stadiums to look more like those on college and university campuses.

“It is something that is very exciting for me and I will be able to work with my family,” he added.

“It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as the director of the Iowa Hall of Pride for the past 12 years, Lashier stated.  “I will be 70 years old in September and it is time for new leadership here and new adventures for me.”

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