Celebrating 20 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Celebrating 20 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Sometimes you’ll hear someone say a few words or make a statement that sounds interesting in the moment. But later, you realize that it was rather profound, and the lingering words you were gifted keep coming back for more.
For me, it was at a hospital fundraiser committee meeting when I heard the chairwoman say with great purpose and clarity: It’s not important, unless you make it important.
For Kay Lall, saving lives is important. In fact, it is her life’s work. Her mission is to drive awareness and preparation for sudden cardiac arrest and anti-choking among many other initiatives with the goal of people having the ability to respond quickly with effective devices, wherever they are, before professional help arrives.
Baby boomers who read this may remember how 60 years ago seat belts were not only poorly designed and only across the lap, but were often stuffed into the car seat’s cushions, deemed unimportant. It took some time for auto manufacturers and the laws to catch up, starting with New York in 1984. Today more lives are saved because we decided that our seatbelt requirements and better functionality are important.
For Kay Lall and her family, it is their business that is at the core of their mission to bring AEDs and anti-choking devices to the forefront of public awareness and accessibility.
For 22 years, Kanchan (Kay) Lall has served as the CEO and chairwoman of General Medical Devices, Inc./AED Professionals located in Palatine. Kay Lall holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Temple University Fox School of Business. She earned an MBA while raising her two children. She held key positions with two Fortune 500 companies as well as the U.S. Department of Energy in which she worked with the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
She worked with two Philadelphia Mayors to help them improve Indo-American community relations. She speaks across the Chicago region advocating for the importance of having AEDs, anti-choking devices, and CPR training. She is involved in numerous charities and has placed her son Mike on multiple boards including the Mercy Home and the Chicago Police Foundation.
The family business was started with the goal of saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and for the memory of her mother who died of SCA at an early age. Sudden cardiac arrest remains a major public health crisis according to the American Heart Association; more than 350,000 out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) events occur annually in the U.S., with a nearly 90% fatality; and 23,000 of those lives lost are youth. Seventy-five percent of these cardiac arrests occur in the home. Despite being the leading cause of death, there are currently no nationwide standards.
Here in Illinois, progress has been made. Lauren’s Law is an Illinois law requiring all high schools to provide CPR and AED training to students before graduation. The law is named after Lauren Laman, a 17-year-old student in St. Charles who died from SCA during a dance class. This initiative, passed in 2014, aims to create a generation of people trained to respond to cardiac emergencies. In addition to student training, recent legislation in Illinois (HB 5394) passed in 2024 requires all school districts to create and implement cardiac response plans that include AED location information and have staff trained in CPR and AED use. CPR and AEDs go hand in hand. Both are required to attempt to save a life. Both are manageable with simple training.
Kay Lall believes her mother’s life could have potentially been saved if an AED—Automated External Defibrillator—was available. Her mother was in her 50s. Now a spokesperson of sudden cardiac arrest awareness, Kay wants to save as many lives as possible. Her mission? That every place where people live, work, and worship should have an AED and anti-choking device immediately available. An AED is a portable medical device designed to treat SCA. “These machines are electronic marvels,” Kay said. “They can diagnose life threating cardiac arrhythmias which are the most common causes of cardiac arrest. The device will tell you if a shock is needed or not, and it will not allow you to shock anyone who does not need a shock.”
“The best part is that anyone with little training can use this laptop-sized device, which gives audible step-by-step instructions along with CPR,” Kay said. Recent CDC studies indicate that if an AED and CPR are administered within two minutes, a person’s chance of survival could be as high as 70%. A person’s chance of survival drops 10% every minute after four minutes without defibrillation by an AED and properly administered CPR.
Statistics show SCA can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. According to The Wall Street Journal, men at age 40 in the U.S. have a one-in-eight chance of suffering SCA over the rest of their lives, a stark indication of the toll that cardiovascular disease exacts on society.
Kay wants everyone to be reminded that when preparing for life’s emergencies, to consider SCA as one of them, and therefore an AED and anti-choking devices should be at the top of the list along with home insurance, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety measures. “An AED is the only emergency preparation which can save your life, so that you can enjoy all your material possessions and live to talk about the miracle. And hopefully, understand the greater purpose and meaning of this life that we often take for granted,” she said.
Starting a business for the Lall family meant that Kay, dad Joe, and son Mike walked away from their secure, high-level corporate jobs in 2003, and turned every room of their shared Barrington area town home into office spaces. They worked 18-hour days, pushing through growing pains that included large truck deliveries arriving at their home, drawing complaints from nosy neighbors, and frantic runs to FedEx hubs meant only for drivers. One day Kay decided it was time to get out of the town house. She had a seen a “For Rent” sign near the Palatine post office and ended up meeting with an amazing property owner named Karen Jung. Kay loved the building and trusted Karen. The company’s first home-away-from-home was started.
Today, AED Professionals is a worldwide distributor of life-saving devices including AEDs from top manufacturers such as Stryker and Philips, and anti-choking devices. The Lall Family are founding donors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City and have contributed AEDs for on-site safety since the beginning of construction at ground zero in 2006.
They sourced over a million antigen (COVID) tests in short order for the then-Chicago based company, Citadel, in 2022, so that daily testing of thousands of employees could take place. Mike had hunted them down in a warehouse in New Jersey. He says ‘that’s a story for another time’.
What sets AED Professionals apart is their steadfast mission and the quality of their products and services. “We believe that failure is not an option,” President and COO Mike Lall said. “When you call our office, we personally answer within two telephone rings, and a highly trained staff person will help you. We regularly serve the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will take their emergency calls at 3:30 a.m. if needed.” The Better Business Bureau lists the family business with an A+ rating which reflects their philosophy of treating every customer right.
“The pandemic hit us hard,” Kay Lall said. “It was not only the temporary setback to the business, but it was also the health of our patriarch that was most affected. Joe was working 12-hour days, 7 days a week without complaint. He was an inspiration to our staff, yet a mission of saving lives took on new meaning to our organization,” she said. “It was sadly the COVID vaccine that took my dear husband Joe. He had an adverse effect from the vaccine and started showing symptoms just one week after. He didn’t think it was serious because he was so busy trying to make a difference. He started various medical treatments, but after three years of struggle, he could not be saved.”
Joe Lall would say that “saving lives is our only business.” He was beloved by all he met. “A man of all seasons, a great father, husband, mentor, and leader—he was instrumental in creating a great institution which he named General Medical Devices, Inc.,” Kay said. “He left us a legacy of saving lives with new innovations and a caring heart.”
Joginder “Joe” Lall grew up in India, as did Kay Lall. He earned engineering degrees in textile, industrial, mechanical, electrical, and nuclear engineering. He graduated first in his classes from both North Carolina State University and from Temple University where he earned his MBA in Finance. He spent most of his career at Westinghouse Electric Corporation directing the construction of nuclear, oil, and gas powerplants on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Dad’s central theme in life was ‘take care of your family’ and he did that every day. He was consistent, kind, and deeply thoughtful,” Mike said. “My parents were a true love story and together, they built a life, a family, and a company with lasting values.”
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Learn more about AED Professionals at AEDprofessionals.com.
Kay Lall shares the loves in her life—the source of strength and power for how she cares deeply for others
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People talk about one true love. I am fortunate to have many. My first great love was for my parents, a perfect couple. My dad was a high-ranking military officer. A very powerful position, but he was serene and supportive and a loving and giving father. My mom was an academic, an educator, a community leader, and a philanthropist who supported and founded educational institutions for underprivileged girls. We had a disciplined life. Education and accomplishment, decorum, and traditional values were the unspoken codes.
Then came my husband. The chosen one. I was still a happy-go-lucky teenager. No thoughts about marriage. Dating was not customary. Life was busy with a multitude of activities both social and educational. So, one day, out of the blue at the dinner table, between the curries and chapatis, mom waited for the chef/server to leave and then looked at me, with half-smiling eyes. I could tell something was suspicious.
“Dinner is delicious,” I said, trying to be civil. “Yes,” she replied. “I have told the chef to make your favorite dessert.”
“Thank you, mom,” I said. “I am so hungry today. The biology lab was very long.”
“I am glad you are working hard,” Mom said. “By the way, your dad and I think it’s time for you to get married.”
“What did you say, Mom,” I asked? My appetite suddenly vanished. “Yes, dear, we have found a very suitable match for you. You must meet him soon,” she said. “We will fly to Chandigarh. The meeting is being arranged in your uncle’s house.”
My brothers could tell I was shocked by the look on my face. Everybody continued eating. I suddenly had no desire for the dessert or anything else. According to the decorum, I was not allowed to leave the table, even when I had a mind to push the plates away and walk out of the room. Well, to make a long story short, I met the gentleman in the elaborate ceremony with all sides of relatives surrounding me and him. Seemed like he was as cautious as I was. After the long talks and ceremonies, Dad and Mom walked the gentleman and me out of the room and into the side room. “Why don’t you talk for some time till the dinner is served?”
They closed the door behind us. As I sat quietly, mulling to just storm out of the room, he said, “I can understand your dilemma. No decision has been made yet. This is just a meeting. Our families have known each other for a very long time. You know in our culture, compatibility of the families is the first step.”
I took a long breath of relief. “So, tell me about yourself,” he said with a smile. I finally looked at him. He was a handsome, soft-spoken, and somewhat convincing fellow. We talked for a long time. He told me about himself. He was an engineer with multiple degrees and had started working for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in America. The job is very challenging, he emphasized, and he likes challenges. After a long talk he said, “I want to tell you about a very strange feeling I have. I believe we were married in our previous life, too.”
“What,” I said, thinking this is the best pick-up line I’ve ever heard! I looked at him. He was quiet.
There was a knock on the door. My aunt, Dr. Varshi, walked in. “Everybody is waiting for you at the dinner table”. She looked at the gentleman sitting on the side chair. “Joe looks so nervous. I hope you were courteous to him. He is your guest.” As she walked out, he looked at me and continued, “You look just the same as I remember you. You are safe. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.” His words hung in the air, as we walked out of the room. Dinner was elaborate, but I don’t remember eating. He got busy talking to everyone. He was suddenly lively and witty. My Mom and Dad could not take their eyes off him. He had charmed them in previous meetings. In their minds, he was a perfect match for their daughter. They did not want to let him go.
Days went by and there were a few meetings. I had not said yes or no. He had started to look familiar. The story he told me about the previous life hung in my mind. Mom and Dad felt as if he was already their son-in-law. I was a silent observer, watching and judging him. He seemed to adjust well with the whole family clan. Everyone was full of praise for Joe.
It was a Sunday morning. Dad and Mom sat with me after breakfast. “You need to make a decision. From our point of view, he is a suitable match. He seems genuine. He has a good genealogy. He is educated and scholarly. He seems like a gentleman. We will take care of you. You are our only daughter. We value your decision. But from our point of view, he is a gem. His name, Lall, also means gem.” Mom smiled. Dad nodded.
So, the rest is history. I had always valued and trusted decisions of my parents. Now the parents were sad, because I would be going away with him to America. And I, who never parted from my parents, was devastated. I like to quote a few lines of a poem written by Lauren Stamos: I surrender to the day; Faith in the unknown; Changing the familiar; It can be terrifying to let go.
The second phase of my true love was my husband, Joe. He turned out to be the best decision made by my dear parents. I suppose parents know best. He was like a custom-made groom for me. I know you are wondering. No, I did not fall in love with him instantly. He was kind and understanding, and I was skeptical and hesitant. But he was patient and persistent. I do not remember or recall when and how he became my best friend, a confidante, a partner, a soul mate.
Soon came the third phase of my true love: my two children. Our beautiful, brilliant daughter and our kind, compassionate humanitarian son. Raising them with love and care to be good humans and citizens was the greatest gift from Lord Almighty to us. My dear husband and I believe that they are a great contribution to society. They both want to make a difference in the world with their contributions of time and skills and charity work. We as parents feel accomplished in our job of raising two wonderful human beings.
To Whom Much Is Given, Much Will Be Required. (Luke 12:48)
The next love affair happened just by chance. While flipping through an invention’s magazine, I saw the picture of an Automated External Defibrillator with a caption: A revolutionary device that can save a life from cardiac arrest. My thoughts at once went to my mother. We could have potentially saved her life if we had this device with us. I started investigating and to my surprise, AEDs were already available to the public. Even a layperson could use them with little training. It provided voice and visual prompts guiding users through the process of analyzing the heart rhythm and delivering a shock to resuscitate the heart. It was an awakening. We must celebrate mom’s life and service to the world by saving lives with AEDs.
Joe and I moved from Pennsylvania to our son’s town home near Barrington. We all left our other jobs. Each room served as an office. Joe made his office in the corner of the living room. He started constructing a website. I put my executive office in my bedroom. Michael’s marketing and business phone was in his bedroom. We worked 24/7. That enthusiasm is hard to describe even now. That energy and thrill of doing something good. Saving lives is our only business. Soon we were “live.” AEDProfessionals.com was ready to serve our country. We started marketing AEDs. We were now authorized distributors. The three of us were taking orders, packing, shipping, marketing, and drinking wine at the end of the day! Our phones rang at all times of the day and night.
They were some exciting times. Each AED that saved a life in some other part of the nation was a cause for celebration. Today, we distribute multiple life-saving products with the help of highly trained, compassionate staff. I salute everyone. My thanks are to my dear husband for making things happen, for working with his heart and soul. Without him, this mission would not have been possible. Thanks to my dear son. Without his initiative, hard work, work ethic, and the will to save lives, the Lall family would not have this gusto and success. For my staff members—some of them have been with us for many years. They are the gems of humankind. Special thanks to Bobby, Tristan (God Bless his soul), Julie, Lauren, and the entire GMD staff.
Some of my earliest and most lasting memories are of watching my mom empower others—through her career or in the community. She sees the good in people and helps bring it to the surface. But along with her compassion, she instilled in me a deep sense of awareness—that while we can lift others up, we must also be wise about the intentions of those around us.
Growing up, my parents taught my sister and I the importance of hard work, determination, and persistence. If you want something, you must earn it. Love for family, showing gratitude, and giving back to the community were always paramount. My mom often said, “A person is known by the company they keep,” and she was right.
One of the most awe-inspiring moments of my childhood was seeing her speak to a crowd of over 18,000 people at the Spectrum in Philadelphia where the Philadelphia Flyers played. She was representing the Mayor of Philadelphia, speaking about the power of community. I watched the audience hang on to her every word, moved and inspired. I looked around in amazement and thought with pride: That’s my mom.
The greatest testament to her character came in July 2022, when my dad became ill. From the moment of his diagnosis, she dropped everything. Her entire world shifted toward helping him heal. She became his calm in the storm—his rock, his constant, his unwavering hope. Day and night, seven days a week, she cared for him with tireless dedication. Not once did she complain even though I knew her world was unraveling. Not once did she put herself first. Her love was complete, unshakable, and eternal. Witnessing her during that time was the greatest lesson in strength, devotion, and love I’ve ever received—and I will carry it with me forever. It’s in times like those that a person’s true character is revealed.
These are just a few examples of how incredible my mom is—not only as a business leader, but as a wife, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and my best friend. The blessings she has brought into my life are more than most people experience in a lifetime—and for that, I live each day with deep gratitude.
Growing up with my parents, Kanchan and Joginder Lall, meant growing up surrounded by love, laughter, and purpose. Both believed that success came not just from achievement, but from character. My father had a saying for everything: “Pay now, play later,” was his favorite reminder that discipline and learning come before reward.
My mom models grace, perseverance, and style. She is elegant in every sense of the word, from how she carries herself to the care and attention she puts into every detail, whether it’s her home, her business acumen, or the people around her. My mom also instilled in me a strong sense of independence. She would often tell me that she didn’t want me to have to depend on anyone—but stand on my own two feet.
Both of my parents pushed me to excel academically and to challenge myself in everything I did. They were proud when I became an electrical engineer. That foundation led me to serve in the U.S. Air Force and to build a career in the Aerospace industry. Their values and encouragement continue to shape my life today. I’m married to a wonderful man, Constantinos, also an engineer, and we’re raising our 9-year-old son, Meru.
Our parents took us traveling around the world, even if it meant missing a few days of school. They believed that seeing new places, meeting people, and understanding different cultures was the best kind of learning. It shaped how we see the world with open minds and open hearts.
I have learned from them that true leadership is not about titles or recognition—it’s about living your values every day, caring deeply for others, and creating joy and connection wherever you can. My father’s humor and my mother’s elegance continue to guide me.
Through commemoration, exhibitions, and educational programs, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 people killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, and
February 26, 1993. We also recognize those who risked their lives to save others and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath of the attacks. Located in the heart of lower Manhattan, the Memorial & Museum welcomes thousands of visitors each day and millions each year.
Maintaining the highest standard of health and safety is essential to our ability to provide both a place of reflection and a powerful learning experience. As Founding Donors, AED Professionals, led by Kanchan (Kay) Lall and the Lall family, have generously provided potentially lifesaving AED equipment and services at no cost to our organization in perpetuity, in support of our mission and our goal to provide the highest levels of safety for everyone on site. More than 14 years after the dedication of the Memorial Plaza and over a decade since the opening of the Museum, we remain grateful to AED Professionals and the Lall family for their continued support of our organization and their advancement of access to critical lifesaving technology.
Twelve years ago, I was interviewed by Mrs. Kay Lall and her son, Michael. The moment Mrs. Lall entered the room, there was an unmistakable presence about her—powerful, yet welcoming. I knew I was meant to be there. Her passion for ensuring that everyone has access to life-saving devices left a lasting impression on me.
A week later, I was hired. Mrs. Lall ignited in me a drive to work with purpose and dedication. At AED Professionals, her influence could be felt every single day. She inspired not only me, but our entire team, to make a difference and to truly understand the value of our work.
As time went on, I came to know Mrs. and Mr. Lall beyond their professional roles. They treated me like family. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer—and later passed away—Mrs. Lall offered words of comfort that I will never forget: “You have family, and we will always be here for you.”
Compassion has always been at the heart of who Mrs. Lall is. She consistently sees the good in others and encourages them to see it in themselves. Her life is defined by love—for her family, her team, and for the mission of saving lives.
Mrs. Lall’s philanthropy is a true reflection of her heart. For me, and for so many others who have had the privilege of working alongside her, Mrs. Lall has been more than a leader. She has been an inspiration, a mentor, and a living reminder of the extraordinary difference one person can make.
Since joining AED Professionals in 2019 at just 21 years old, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand what it truly means to work hard, have passion for your work, and the importance of making your mark under the leadership of Mrs. Kanchan K. Lall. Under her example, I’ve grown from a young professional into someone who has learned to stand on my own two feet, to use my voice, and to understand that success is worth the work. I am aware of the importance of having access to the lifesaving equipment we offer and how to use it. I find myself checking for AEDs and safety equipment everywhere I go, passing along the training I have received for my family and friends. A few minutes makes all the difference when someone needs help.
Being part of the AED Professionals family is something I will always cherish, because it’s more than just a workplace, it’s a mission and a second home. Mrs. Lall leads with a transformational approach, elevating us all towards a shared vision of making a difference. The greatest love I had the pleasure of witnessing in her life was the one she shared with Mr. Joginder Lall. Their bond was fierce and beautiful, and his loss was felt deeply by all of us. Yet Mrs. Lall has continued to carry herself—and all of us—with strength, grace, and determination.
More than 14 years after the dedication of the Memorial Plaza and over a decade since the opening of the Museum, we remain grateful to AED Professionals and the Lall family for their continued support of our organization and their advancement of access to critical lifesaving technology.
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