Harold Leslie
Storage Engineering Pioneer And Gentleman

By Neil Gussis, Beacon Realty

Harold Leslie has been involved with the self storage industry for over 34 years. Harold was a charter member of the SSA and was instrumental in the early development of the SSA while serving as EVP of Piper Industries. During his tenure with Piper, he was a pioneer in the development of the standing seam steel roof concept, a concept that is now the accepted norm for the self storage industry.

For the past three decades, Harold has been the President of Leslie Industries, Inc. a design, engineering, and manufacturing firm. Their first self storage project was designed and built in 1978. Since the company’s inception, over 52 million square feet of self storage projects have been completed under Harold’s watch. Harold, to this day, is involved in every building project that the company is working on. It is said that he still has the most energy in the office and that his success has been built upon the long-term relationships and friendships that he has created.

Harold’s involvement in the industry is not limited to the United States. Harold was for many years the Chairman of Leslie Storage Ltd. in Daventry, England, a joint venture with Ayshire Metal Products, PLC, Irvine Scotland, one of the largest suppliers of cold roll steel products serving all of Europe. The group was also involved in the design and building of self storage projects using cold formed steel construction.

Harold has been a member of senior management of three New York Stock Exchange companies and currently sits on the board of two non-industry companies. He has been an editorial advisor for the two primary industry publications and has served as a member of the board for MiniCo., a supplier of insurance, a publisher, and a provider of products to the self storage industry. He has in the past served as the Southeastern Regional Director of the SSA.

Harold Leslie makes philanthropy an important part of his life and has been very active in hurricane relief efforts throughout Florida. He recognizes his good fortune, and has sponsored underprivileged children in five countries the Christian Foundation For Children And Aging.

Harold has not only built millions of feet of storage facilities, he has built a personal reputation that is second to none. He is a true gentleman that is a pleasure to have in your company whether it be professionally or personally. He is a visionary in new building concepts. He is a perfectionist on whatever he is involved with. His beliefs are followed by actions. He is trustworthy. You know you can count on Harold’s word. That still goes a long way. He has been a provider to many and true to his loved ones.

Harold and his wife Winnie have shared life together for the past 48 years. They have two grown sons, Gregory and Phillip and he is a proud grandfather to one grandson, Phillip Jr.

Webmaster’s note:

This article was published in the September 2005 edition of the Self Storage Association Globe Magazine.  This edition was released just prior to the awards ceremony inducting Harold into the Self Storage Hall of Fame.  He was chosen in the first “class” of inductees, as this will be an annual event for persons who have been honored as instrumental in the development of the Self Storage Industry.

Since the publication of this article we were all saddened by the passing of Mrs. Winnie Leslie passed away after a long battle with cancer in May of 2006.  She will be remembered with fondness by all of us here at Leslie Industries.