Lamon Luther Announces New Ownership, Gordon Cortez, and Exciting New Vision for Founder Brian Preston
ATLANTA, July 31, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Lamon Luther was founded with a single mission: to provide meaningful employment making handcrafted wood furniture to craftsmen transitioning out of homelessness and addiction. Today, the company announces new ownership under the helm of Gordon Cortez.
Cortez knew Lamon Luther was special when he first encountered the business in 2016: “It was the perfect example of the kind of organization and model that I wanted to build,” he said. “Not only is the product beautiful, handcrafted wood furniture, which is a major passion of mine, but the company is built for the people who are creating it—this is what really attracted me to the business.”
With a background in marketing and design, Cortez most recently found himself working at a Fortune 100 tech titan in a corporate marketing role. His passion for building things, quality craftsmanship and working with underserved communities, however, never left.
Lamon Luther founder, Brian Preston, created the socially conscious enterprise in 2012 to break the cycle of chronic homelessness. Its first employee, TC, had been homeless for 15 years prior to starting at Lamon Luther. To date, Lamon Luther has provided more than 100,000 man hours of meaningful work building products for companies like Williams-Sonoma, the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and many notable restaurants and entertainment venues.
“I have been incredibly blessed by the love and support that Lamon Luther has seen over the past six years,” said Preston. “It is evidence that the marketplace today cares about people in a way that influences their purchasing behavior. I am thrilled that Gordon and I had the chance to meet and that his vision and background will only take the organization to new heights.”
After giving away several tiny homes with more than $200,000 raised through crowdfunding, Preston has decided to embark on a new tech startup to help people and brands raise money for their favorite cause. Let’s Enter, the new venture, will help companies and organizations conduct online sweepstakes of high value, such as Tiny Homes, to further a mission or a project.
As Cortez sets his sights on a new chapter for Lamon Luther, he says one thing will remain the same: the company’s mission.
“While I anticipate expanding our furniture offerings and investing in online strategy, the brand itself will remain unchanged,” said Cortez. “The do-good model that Brian has built is what makes Lamon Luther so special. As we continue to grow the company, it will only increase the ways we connect with people, sell custom, handcrafted furniture and provide stable employment for more people who are rebuilding their lives.”
Cortez resides in Atlanta with his wife Lauren, son Baker and dog Beasley.
Lamon Luther has future plans for a showroom experience in its hometown of Atlanta, Ga., and creating more partnerships with sustainable lumber suppliers and vendors. It will continue to offer custom, high-exposure furniture and décor for major entertainment venues, restaurants and shared office spaces, as well as people interested in high-quality one-of-a-kind pieces with purpose.
To learn more or get in touch with Lamon Luther, visit http://lamonluther.com.
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About Lamon Luther, the man
Born in 1930 in the foothills of Randolph County, Alabama, Lamon Luther Wilson is a farmer, a mechanic and a carpenter. With his hands, he provides for his family. During those days, working with your hands was a part of survival and economic stability. If the sun is up during the summer months, he is found in his garden. He shares his excess crops with his community, making sure everyone has the freshest produce. His hands are callused but you wouldn't know it on Sunday behind his perfectly pressed suit. Lamon Luther is a rugged gentleman.
Lamon Luther, the company, was born in 2012 as a tribute to a dying generation of craftsmen. It employs those who have been directly affected by homelessness and addiction, aiming to restore hope and dignity to its workforce. Lamon Luther goods are made using 50 percent reclaimed wood, keeping hundreds of thousands of pounds of old houses, barns and pallets out of landfills. Its signature piece is the farm table. Many custom pieces are produced also, including community tables for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a handmade line for one of the largest furniture retailers in the U.S., West Elm, which is owned by Williams-Sonoma.
Source: Lamon Luther