Prior to returning to Santa Fe, Lou took time to go to college at the College of Santa Fe, graduate school at The American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Phoenix. He also did a stint in Vietnam with the Army. For the next 15 years he managed an international division of an Exxon subsidiary.

During his years in construction, Lou served as both President of the Santa Fe Area Homebuilders Association and the New Mexico Homebuilders Association as well as serving on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Homebuilders in Washington DC. During these years he was awarded the "Builder Member of the Year" awards for both the Santa Fe and New Mexico Associations.

Lou has also been active in many non-profits serving most recently as Chairman of New Vistas (serving the needs of the mentally disabled) and Vice President and Director of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire NM