Lucius S. “Lou” Niles died June 7, 2020, at the age of 72, after a brief illness at his home in Simon’s Town South Africa.
In 1980, Niles was hired by Tom Benson Industries Inc. and relocated to Portland, Oregon. Within five years, he became CEO and president. Under his leadership, Benson Industries transformed from a regional glazing contractor into one of the world’s leading custom curtain wall providers, opening offices in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. Niles took the company international in 1992, and continued to build the company’s reputation as a premier facade contractor. His distinguished, visionary leadership set an example for everyone that worked with him.
In 2000, Benson undertook their first project in New York and in 2007 Benson was awarded the Freedom Tower, Tower One. Benson was named the Architectural Foundation of Oregon’s Citizen of the Year in 2013, the first and only time a manufacturer/contractor had been honored. In August of 2013 Benson Industries was acquired by MiTek. After 35 years of leadership, Niles retired in January 2015 with many iconic buildings―Freedom Tower, Salesforce Tower, Wilshire Grand, UN Secretariat Re-clad―as his legacy.
Niles is survived by his wife, Glori Niles, and their children and grandchildren.
Niles’ family welcomes donations be made to Metropolitan Family Services, Portland, Oregon, in his honor and memory.
