Too tragically soon.
With the sudden passing on July 12, 2020, of Lawrence Wade Lane, age 49 at his home in Atlanta-area Johns Creek, GA, we mourn a leader's life cut short.
Lawrence Lane--Atlanta division president of Century Communities--passed too soon, in his prime, and will be missed beyond the power of words to tell. A son, a brother, a husband, a dad--a family lost a beloved, boundlessly energetic source of light in their lives, light still in its fullness and promise and joy. Friends lost a soul mate. Peers up and down building's foodchain of org charts lost a one-of-a-kind colleague.
"Lawrence was born [July 7, 1971] in Pittsburgh, PA, to Richard Charles Lane and to Shirley Mae Lane née Graham. He is survived by the love of his life, Sherry Williams Lane; daughters, Sidney W. Lane and Maura Katherine Lane; brother, Richard Lane; and sister, Felicia Freeman.
A worker among workers, an analytical-methodical motivational colleague, and a natural-born leader, Lane served most recently at Century after a 15-year ascent in home building, beginning with Pulte, and with stops at Meritage Homes, and Baker Residential. As a numbers-guy with a "mega-watt" smile and an inspiring style, Lane answered to "Larry," "Wade," "Lawrence," "Lane" or any number of familiar family nicknames with equal good nature, commitment, and smart, sound principles, values, and rigor.
Lane graduated from Duquesne University with an accounting degree in 1993, and went on to attain an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998. After work-study programs at KPMG and Westinghouse, Lane's early career launched at Ford Motor Company, where, between 1998 and 2004, he advanced in various roles in finance and operations. His home building journey started with a finance job as manager on the asset management committee at Pulte in 2004. By 2010, he'd climbed the ladder to Raleigh division president at Pulte, and then went on to Meritage, where he worked as Raleigh president from 2014 to 2018, to start Meritage operations in the market.
From remembrances and testimonials, it's clear Lane loved doing.
"We will remember him every time we grill, play golf, ride bikes, do karate, drink wine, watch superhero movies.."
Century Communities Southeast and Texas regional president Jamie Pirrello says:
"While his time with us at Century was short, he had a tremendous impact and will be greatly missed."
We grieve with family, with loved ones, with friends the untimely passing of so vital and so splendid a man. We also salute the accomplishments a resume falls short in its appraisal, but which is meaningful in suggesting some measure of how he held himself to accountability.
[As Raleigh division president at Meritage] Led day-to-day operations of 2-year startup division. Grew division from 31 employees and 161 closings in 2013 to over 70 employees and 300+ closings in 2018. Recruited and retained new leadership team consisting of 8 direct reports overseeing the following functions: Sales, Construction, Land Acquisition, Land Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources. Repositioned existing communities and land portfolio to achieve the highest sales per community in the South Region in 2015 and 2016. Improved customer satisfaction scores from 76% (last in the company) in 2014 to 93% (3rd in the company) in 2016. 2017 AVID Diamond Award winner for Customer Satisfaction. Developed and implemented land acquisition strategy that increased lots under control from 900 in 2014 to over 2,300 in 2018. Increased active communities from 6 stores in 2014 to 18 stores in 2018.
Clearly, home builders and home building have lost one of its leaders, one of its passionate overachievers, one of its shining sources of inspiration and resolve. Just as clearly, home builders and home building should celebrate what Lawrence Wade Lane achieved in a far-too-short 15 or so years in home building.
And remember him for promise fulfilled and even greater promise yet to come.
