| As Hall Telecommunications celebrates its 50th anniversary, we also want to celebrate the people and partnerships we have built. Today, we celebrate our founder, Iolanda Maugeri-Hall, the heart and soul of Hall Telecommunications. Iolanda founded Hall in 1974, and her passion and relationship skills are still a driving force behind everything Hall Telecommunications does.
Initially seeing an opportunity to refurbish used telephones, Iolanda founded GW Hall (now Hall Telecommunications) in 1974. In the early 1970s the telecommunications industry was a male-dominated industry. For this reason, Iolanda’s then-husband was made president of GW Hall. Despite not being the public face of the organization, Iolanda effectively managed the business behind the scenes. Under her leadership, Hall Telecommunications rapidly grew, becoming the largest privately held telephony distributor in Canada by the late 1970s In the mid-1980s, both Iolanda and Hall faced significant challenges. Following her separation from her husband, Iolanda was ousted from her own company. Demonstrating resilience, she fought to regain control and succeeded in 1985. A few years later, Hall encountered another setback when a key supplier bypassed the company to distribute directly to the market. Despite these challenges, Iolanda continued to strengthen and build her internal team and relationships with vendors. As Iolanda continued to grow the business, she ran into Don Beam, whom she had met 25 years earlier while he was studying at the University of Guelph. They soon married, and Iolanda invited Don to join the business as the Vice President of Sales. In 1999, Iolanda passed the torch to her husband, Don, who became the President of Hall Telecommunications. With over 20 years of industry experience, Don recognized the future potential of the internet, VOIP and interconnection technologies. Under his leadership, Hall became more than a phone, intercom, and parts supplier. He implemented a strategic philosophy focused on observing, listening, and understanding the rapidly changing market needs.
After Iolanda passed away in 2018, the Iolanda Maugeri-Hall Business Scholarship was established in her honour. The scholarship commemorates her passion for business and belief in education. It is awarded to a student pursuing a post-secondary education in a business-related field who demonstrates respect for others and their community. Iolanda will always be a part of Hall Telecommunications. Her legacy lives on through the business she founded and the lives she touched. |
Iolanda was born in San Giorgio, Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to Canada as a young girl with her sister Rita and her parents, Natalina and Cosimo. The family settled in Guelph, which became their new home. Iolanda’s greatest strengths were her ability to read people and build relationships. At a time when women were to be at home, not in business, she was a trailblazer. She started her own business, which would grow to become Hall Telecommunications.
Today, Hall continues to evolve with the telecommunications industry offering three primary product lines: Outside plant, Customer Premise and Special Needs Products – focusing on individuals with hearing, sight, and mobility impairments. Working with over 300 vendors, Hall’s success stems from the customer – they are the heart of what we do. We are committed to delivering the right product, to the right location, at the right price, and we pride ourselves on being on time – every time.