Ozarks Profile

Broker/operating partner, Billy Long, Keller Williams Realty, 1515 S. Glenstone, Springfield. Billy Long, Keller Williams is a residential and commercial real estate business that also offers auction services. Keller Williams Realty was founded in 1983 and the franchise was purchased locally in 1995.

Age: 47.

No. of years in Springfield/area: Lane's family moved here in 1965, while she was in high school.

Education: Graduate, Glendale High School, 1969; bachelor's degree in education, Central Missouri State University, 1973; graduate, Dale Carnegie Institute, 1983; received her Missouri real estate license in 1985.

Early career: Lane's first job was at Barclay's Bridal. She also worked for Silver Dollar City for two summers and, while there, was awarded for salesmanship. After getting her degree in education, Lane taught in the Blue Springs school system from 1973 to 1980. She was head of the home economics department at Blue Springs High. She was selected statewide curriculum coordinator for vocational home economics and was voted Outstanding Young Educator in 1978. In 1985, Lane got involved in sales and instruction for the Dale Carnegie program. She worked through her family's business, Abbott Associates. It was also in 1985 that Lane began selling real estate for Jones & Co. and was named Rookie of the Year. She became director of training and full-time director of recruitment in 1986, and then joined Carol Jones, Realtors, in 1988. She remained with Carol Jones, Realtors, until 1995, filling a variety of positions. She started as sales manager, then was promoted to broker-officer and general manager, responsible for expansion, training and overseeing branch offices. "I was in a unique position with Carol Jones, Realtors, in that it was a growing company with a dynamic leader, and I was able to combine my sales training with the day-to-day mentoring of Carol Jones. It was an unbeatable experience. As the company grew, it turned over more and more responsibility to me. I opened six offices for Carol Jones, Realtors, by the time I left," Lane said. When Carol Jones sold the company in 1994, Lane began to evaluate what path she wanted her future to take. When she met Garry Keller, she found someone who shared her philosophy and vision. "Never before had I seen a company run exactly like this although I spent time checking it out to try to discover if there were flaws in the system the more I looked, the more I believed it was visionary and the only way to run a company," Lane said. Billy Long asked her to join the Keller Williams franchise after he purchased it, and the two agreed to become partners. "It has been extremely successful for both of us. Billy is a master at auctioning, and I do what I love best on the real estate side," Lane said.

Management philosophy: "I am a coach and consultant with the mission to create an atmosphere and environment that helps build self-confidence and motivation, combined with teamwork and professionalism, with the ultimate goal a very high level of customer service."

Spare-time pursuits: "I have learned to discipline myself to go the the Jones Family Y. After four hard months, I'm finally getting to where I enjoy working out with nine members of the Keller Williams office at 5:45 a.m.," Lane said. She also finds time to read a book every two weeks, read five business publications regularly, spend time decorating and working in her yard, spend time with her family and travel.

Family data: Married to her high school sweetheart, Pat Lane, for 28 years. "I sat behind him in chemistry class at Glendale High School, and the chemistry has been good ever since," Lane said. She has two children: Jennifer, 20, a physical therapy major at the University of Missouri, and Matt, 24, a communications major at Southwest Missouri State University.

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