The Ray C. Anderson Foundation is pleased to announce that Foundation Trustee, James A. Lanier, Jr., will now be taking a more active role in Foundation projects as he celebrates his recent retirement from Interface, Inc.
During the early years of his 35-year tenure with Interface, Jaime created a market for carpet tile in South Florida where absolutely none existed. Building upon his initial success as a salesman, Jaime then moved with his family in 1986 to Atlanta, Georgia to help grow Ray Anderson’s business.
Following nearly two decades as an account executive, Jaime served as General Manager for Re:Source Georgia (Interface’s then dealer network). Beginning in 2002, he then served the company as segment Vice President. He was one of the pioneers of Interface’s Higher Education Segment, and he also helped develop and grow the Multifamily Sales Segment. Jaime wrapped up his career with Interface on May 4, 2016, the same day he started in 1981.
Jaime’s final role with Interface was Vice President of Customer Development, a role in which he mentored many sales reps and helped instill in them the core sustainability values that Ray held so dear. Since many never had the chance to know Ray personally, Jaime’s mentorship proved invaluable.
Interface CEO, Dan Hendrix said, “Though he must have known he was standing in the long shadow of his father-in-law, our founder, I really admire that Jaime created a space for himself in the organization that made the most of his talents…. I know that Ray was proud that Jaime was one of our best. While Jaime will be missed, I know that because of his role as a Trustee at the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, he will continue to advance both Ray’s legacy and Interface’s mission.”
At the same time that Jaime increases his involvement with the Foundation, he also plans to spend more time with the The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia (CFNGA), where he has recently been named Vice Chair. Jaime has been helping the CFNG to develop a program to educate Catholics and others in North Georgia and help them to better understand their options for leaving a meaningful legacy through planned giving, regardless of their net worth.
“Many people think they don’t have enough net worth to designate funds for planned giving, and they end up doing nothing with their estate,” Lanier said. “Everyone has a legacy to leave, and it is our goal to empower and inspire them to do so.”
Additionally, Jaime has also been recently elected to the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, Furman University.
The Ray C. Anderson Foundation wishes you well in your retirement Jaime, but it sounds like you will be busier than ever!
Comments