Town’s neighborliness impresses Alice Lessmann
MADISON – Madison residents represent traits and virtues of what make a community a whole, Alice Lessmann believes.
“Wherever we go in Madison, there’s usually someone we know. This interaction is what separates ‘our community’ rather than just a place to live,” Lessmann said.
Overall hospitality and neighborliness are on constant display, she said. For three years, the Lessmanns have taken summer RV trips on the east and west coasts but “haven’t found unique qualities portrayed in our hometown, Madison.”
Before she was two years old, Alice and her family moved from North Carolina to Huntsville. Her future parents had met and married while stationed in Seoul, Korea. He retired at Redstone Arsenal.
After graduating from Butler High School, Alice joined Alabama Army National Guard and met future husband, Steve Lessmann, in 1/203rd ADA Patriot Missile Unit. They’ve been married 14 years.
To pay for college, Alice worked at Huntsville Hospital and used her GI Bill and scholarships. She earned bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. After 21 years, she retired from Army National Guard in 2015 as Lieutenant Colonel.
Alice was working as Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Steve as a government contractor when in 2005 he started his own company, Signalink Inc. After operating Signalink in their detached garage, they moved their company to a new, 11,500-square foot building at 1208 Slaughter Road. Alice is CEO.
Their daughter Leah participates in National Junior Honor Society and competition cheerleadering at Discovery Middle School, along with Rocket City Volleyball Club. Son Ben Lessmann is in Rainbow Elementary School’s gifted program, Elementary Student 2 Student, Author Society and Drama Club, along with city basketball and football.
The Lessmann family volunteers at Asbury United Methodist Church. Steve and Alice serve on Madison Knights YFC Board. Alice has held numerous PTA roles.
In addition, Signalink focuses on community outreach with Signalink Serves, voluntarily funded and operated by employees. Signalink has helped Habitat for Humanity, CASA, Army National Guard, Downtown Rescue Mission, schools and hospitals.
The Lessmanns’ pets are Donny, four-year-old ‘Schnoodle,’ and Lacy, constantly hungry ‘Goldendoodle.’
“I love running!” Alice said. Her group of about 20 women “talks, laughs and encourages each other in all aspects of life during our long runs.”
The Lessmanns enjoy visits to Uncle Maddio’s and Chick-fil-A.