By Theresa Ratajczak
Greg and Lisa Wall’s story begins the way many great partnerships do: side by side, working toward a common goal. They met in 1990 while in college, working at a local Catonsville restaurant. Greg was mixing drinks behind the bar, and Lisa was welcoming guests. What started as shared shifts and friendship soon grew into something deeper. Over the years, that foundation helped them navigate life’s challenges and successes. Family has always been central to their lives, grounding their journey and adding meaning to everything they do. Together, they have invested their time, talents, and energy into supporting each other, raising their family, and giving back to the community.
Love, perseverance, and hard work shaped Greg’s upbringing. Born and raised in Catonsville alongside his sister, Denise, Greg learned resilience early on. After losing their father at just 12 years old, he and his sister looked to their mother, whose strength and determination became their foundation. “Mom sacrificed a lot for us,” Greg recalls. He attended St. Mark School, where he first discovered his love of music, picking up the drums at age 13, while also building discipline and teamwork through playing baseball, football, and basketball.
Greg went on to graduate from Mount Saint Joseph High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with an accounting certificate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He later qualified as a Certified Public Accountant and steadily advanced to serve as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer for a healthcare consulting firm.
Lisa grew up in Carroll County and moved to Catonsville during elementary school. As a child, she developed a passion for singing. She performed at her high school graduation and has also shared her talent as a soloist at church services, weddings, and funerals. She attended Mount de Sales Academy, an experience that significantly influenced her life. According to the school’s website, its mission is “…anchored in faith and rooted in…a community committed to…compassionate service, and respecting the inherent dignity of every individual.”
Reflecting on her time there, Lisa shared, “The Sisters cared for us with such kindness. They inspired me to care for others in the same way. I’ve always aimed to treat my patients with that same kindness and dedication.” After graduating, Lisa trained in radiologic technology at Johns Hopkins School of Medical Imaging and worked in local healthcare settings, including Johns Hopkins and St. Agnes Healthcare. Now retired, her healthcare career was defined by her commitment to helping others, influenced by her experiences of compassionate care.
Greg and Lisa’s journey to become the “Walls” started in 1993 with a whirlwind proposal. Greg planned to ask Lisa to marry him during a romantic vacation in the Outer Banks. However, Hurricane Emily interrupted the trip, but Greg managed to keep his proposal a secret until the storm passed. “It was a complete surprise. I’m not sure how he kept his cool,” Lisa remembers. She said yes, and they got married in 1995.
The couple settled in Catonsville and welcomed their daughter, Megan, in 1999. As their family grew, so did the need to expand and renovate their home. Greg’s interest in building started early, working alongside his late father, a plumbing contractor. He later gained additional experience collaborating with Lisa’s stepfather, who owned a remodeling business.
In 2005, Lisa supported Greg in pursuing his contractor and builder licenses, which led to the launch of Wall to Wall Construction (walltowall.net). More than 20 years later, he now leads a team specializing in high-quality whole-house remodeling, including kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, porches, and pools. “Looking back, everything fell into place,” Greg said. “I’ve always admired craftsmanship and loved building. My background in business and finance made Wall to Wall a natural next step. And honestly, the name was just a fun play on words.”
Greg and Lisa’s family kept growing. Elisabeth arrived next, then Kyle, and finally Lindsay. Greg coached sports teams, and Lisa worked as the team coordinator. They performed together in the local band Acoustic Limit, where Greg played drums, and Lisa was the lead singer. They entertained the community at local bars and restaurants, supported school fundraisers, and area festivals until 2015. Greg still plays and now performs with “Ghost Town Radio” (GhostTownRadioBand.com), while Lisa takes on the role of number one fan.
In 2020, during COVID, Greg and Lisa faced her diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer as a team. Greg offered support, took on additional family duties, and enlisted the help and prayers of family and friends. As word spread, the Catonsville community rallied around the family with an outpouring of support. “Our daughter Lindsay was in middle school then, and the other mothers took her under their wings and offered her support,” Lisa said. “We are grateful for all the help given to us.” Throughout her treatment and recovery, Lisa relied on her family, her faith, and the same spirit of care that had guided her throughout her career. In a moment that reflects both resilience and hope, she celebrated her fifth anniversary of being cancer-free last year.
Greg and Lisa cherish their life in Catonsville and are committed to strengthening their community through their partnership. Currently, Greg volunteers on the band selection committee for the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce’s Frederick Road Fridays (FRF), a weekly event that unites local bands and supports nonprofits. He also coordinates all the entertainment for this summer celebration. Greg shares, “I’ve worked hard, no question, but you’ve got to make time for family and have some fun along the way…that’s what keeps everything in balance.” Lisa volunteers at Mount de Sales Academy and periodically creates care bags for Mercy Hospital’s cancer patients. She shared, “I’ve always believed you take care of people the way you’d want to be cared for, and when I went through my own health journey, I really felt that come full circle.”
Life’s trials have a way of making the good times even sweeter. The Walls cherish that balance, often spending their time together with friends and family by the pool in their backyard. They enjoy boating and fishing, and are loyal, longtime Orioles fans. “Greg works so hard and cherishes the times he gets to spend with the family uninterrupted,” said Lisa.
Greg and Lisa’s four children are each forging their own paths. Megan is a financial analyst, Elisabeth works as a cosmetologist, and Kyle is studying real estate development at the University of Maryland. Their youngest, Lindsay, is graduating from Mount de Sales Academy this month and plans to attend Salisbury University. The family has also grown to include two beloved dogs, Stella and June, who bring plenty of energy and companionship to the household.
Greg and Lisa’s influence is evident not only in the homes he helps construct and the patients she has cared for, but also in the relationships they’ve formed in and around the community. They have designed a life built on family, faith, and shared purpose that improves those around them and extends well beyond their own walls. This foundation continues to shape their lives and reminds us that true success is often about more than accomplishments; it’s also about how you live and the people you touch along the way.
Catonsville Neighbors celebrates and thanks Greg and Lisa Wall for their contributions as partners to family and community.
