by: Stephen Schindel
This year LNWHospitality’s parent company, Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc. (“LNWA”) is celebrating its 70th year in business. I sat down with LNWA Chairman, Kevin Kelly, to discuss the company’s founder Mr. Leon N. Weiner (1920 – 2002). Here is Part II of the discussion. You can find Part I here.
How Did Leon N. Weiner & Associates transition from homebuilding to affordable housing?
Unlike most builders, Leon built homes for people of all backgrounds which allowed for thousands of new homes to be developed. However, there was still a shortage of affordable housing; it was difficult to find safe and quality affordable housing. Leon would always say that the lack of affordable housing was due to “a lack of supply, supply, supply, and only fixed by adding supply.”
As a result of President Johnson’s work on the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, federal housing programs were expanded, paving the way for the development of affordable housing. LNWA shifted its core business from homebuilding to affordable housing. Initially, LNWA built affordable housing for public agencies like the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Wilmington Housing Authority, before branching out on its own.
“People from every corner of every state, from every walk of life and economic circumstance, share a common need, a common dream... a place to call home.”
What were some memorable experiences from your time working with Leon?
There are two experiences that stick out.
First, on my first major development project with Leon, we encountered a problem during the final stages of the approval process; there were stakeholders who had become less receptive to the site plan. Leon noticed that a person with whom we were having problems was listening to classical music. Leon engaged him in a discussion of concertos and symphonies. This gentleman was taken aback, but also quizzed Leon on his knowledge, which was impressive. It revealed a secret passion of Leon’s – I never knew he had an encyclopedic knowledge of classical music. After that discussion, the energy in the room changed and we were able to get a fair deal.
Second, Leon and I took a trip to Washington DC in January of 1981. I was on my way for a meeting on a new development and I don’t remember Leon’s plans at the time. On the drive down, Leon received a call on his car phone, and he turned to me and said, “Can you reschedule your meeting?” I said, “Uh, sure boss.” Leon responded, “We’re going to see the President, what’s your social security number for Secret Service?” I was in awe and was probably pretty demonstrative in my enthusiasm. Leon chastised me and taught me an important lesson. “Don’t do that again. They’re public servants, not public deities.”
How did Leon N. Weiner & Associates get into the hotel industry?
After a successful development of Huntington Towers in New London, CT, the town came back to us, expressing interest in LNWA developing a hotel. At the same time, one of Leon’s friends from Georgia made him aware of the opportunity to redevelop the Jekyll Island Club. Both deals were closed in December 1985. LNW Hospitality still owns the Jekyll Island club over 30 years later.
Bust of Leon N. Weiner at the National Association of Homebuilders.
What is the legacy Leon left on Leon N. Weiner & Associates?
Some of the key things Leon always said that stick with us today:
“Principles have never been sacrificed on the altar of profit.”
“We do what is right even if it is difficult.”
“If we make a deal, we stick to that deal.”
It’s how Leon operated, and we still operate this way.