blau joined griffon – then known as instrument systems corporation (isc) – as general counsel in 1966. after edward garrett's death in 1982, blau was appointed chairman of the board and ceo in 1983. under blau's leadership, isc grew to a large diversified conglomerate whose wholly owned subsidiaries produced garage doors, clothing, specialty plastics, and aerospace and defense electronics. he transformed the company by accelerating a divestiture and cost-cutting plan, strengthening profitable existing lines of business, and aggressively seeking new business. in 1995, blau renamed isc as griffon corporation, a name inspired by the mythical half-eagle, half-lion symbolizing the combined strengths of the company's different subsidiaries. blau retired as ceo in march 2008 and was succeeded by ron kramer, who had married blau's daughter stephanie in 1992. kramer had served on the company's board of directors since 1993 and was elected vice chairman in 2003.