“The Gwinnett Chamber is an amazing catalyst for business growth. I’m eager to build on the powerful programs we have in place and help business leaders see how involvement with the Chamber can help you create more business,” says Lanier Levett, 2024 Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors, and a longstanding contributor to the Gwinnett business landscape. “So many people come into this county and don’t realize the strength of our Chamber. This group is firing on all cylinders, and I want to show business leaders the tremendous value you can gain here.”
A Legacy of Community Commitment
Levett has been an integral part of the local business community since 2004 when his family-owned business expanded from Dekalb to Gwinnett. Levett is a fourth-generation funeral director and serves as Vice President of Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes, the largest independently owned and operated funeral home business in the southeast, serving more than 2,400 families annually. Known for compassionate and dignified funeral services that celebrate family and honor the past, Gregory B. Levett & Sons has been recognized with prestigious awards from the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and American Funeral Director magazine. The company now includes four locations across metro Atlanta and employs 150 staff members, including 25 licensed funeral directors. The company is Gwinnett’s only African American–owned and –operated funeral home.
In 2013, Levett expanded his personal brand by opening Young-Levett Funeral Homes, where he leads as President and Chief Executive Officer alongside his wife, Dana Young Levett. Their firm serves families with two locations in nearby counties.
Levett and his family are actively involved in the communities they serve through volunteerism, networking, and other community-building activities. As Atlanta and Gwinnett County have attracted more international families, Levett and his family have seen a growing need to provide international services. “Often, people want to go home when they pass away,” he explains. “It’s been important for our business to make it easy for family members to honor that request. We’ve streamlined the process of international shipping upon a loved one’s passing, and it’s become one of our differentiators.”
Growth Through Service
Levett’s business has grown from referrals of the families he has served and also his extensive involvement with the Gwinnett Chamber. Levett served on the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors a decade ago and then returned to the Board in 2021 for an additional term. He’s also been active with the Chairman’s Club since 2020. “The general membership at our Chamber is excellent and gives you the chance to meet so many key people across the county,” he says. “And the Chairman’s Club has been phenomenal for us because it offers smaller, private events where you can really get in a room with decision-makers and collaborate. No other organization compares to this in terms of being able to do business.”
A 2011 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and active participant with multiple nonprofits in the area, Levett knows Gwinnett County well. “Our county is still growing rapidly, and there are many opportunities here with international companies and new businesses opening regularly,” he says. “Businesses are attracted to Gwinnett County because of the schools and the strong business community, and the Chamber has been very intentional about helping create an attractive business environment.”
Proud to Lead the Way
As he steps into the role of Chair, he plans to prioritize work that further strengthens the business environment along with outreach that helps business builders better understand the value they can gain from Chamber membership. “I want people to truly understand how networking through the Chamber benefits you. Of course, we meet a lot of people across the county, but there are also those key introductions to people who can really help you accelerate your business,” he says. “The Chamber staff and leaders actively work to pair members with others who can help them meet their business objectives. This group is unmatched for the collaborations you can enjoy.”
“I’m very proud to be part of this group and even more proud to serve as Chair of the Board,” he adds.