Lyle Hughart graduated from Streator High School in 1953 and went on to put himself through college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1960. That same December, he married Nancy Herman. He began his professional career with a large steel fabricating firm in St. Louis, where he worked for two years before launching his own business, which he operated for 12 years. In 1973, he joined Lockport Steel Fabricators and remained there until his retirement in 2000.
His involvement with Easterseals began when Debbie approached him at a Joliet Rotary meeting and encouraged him to join the Easterseals Board. He has served on the board continuously since 2000, taking on roles such as Chairman of Finance, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Building Committee. He currently serves on both the Budget & Finance Committee and the Building Committee.
He played a significant role in the remodeling of the Easterseals Center and the purchase of the Essington Office Building. His current six-year term extends through 2027, at which point he will be 92 years old.
Lyle Hughart has greatly enjoyed working alongside Debbie and her team, praising their dedication and effectiveness. He considers the hiring of David Gardner as CFO to be one of the most important decisions made during his board tenure, citing Gardner’s accounting expertise as essential to the organization’s success.
He is also a proud father of three children, grandfather to seven, and great-grandfather to three—so far.
