Early Life
Larry Connor was born in Albany, New York, on January 7, 1950. He graduated from Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio in 1968. He later attended Ohio University, graduating summa cum laude in 1972 with degrees in English and History. Connor's early entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a house painting business during high school.
Rise to Success
Connor's business acumen grew with early ventures, including Newcom's Tavern in 1977, and Orlando Computer Corp. in the 1980s. In 1991, he founded The Connor Group. The Connor Group has grown into a multi-billion dollar real estate empire, specializing in luxury apartment communities. The company has delivered an average annual rate of return of 30.4% to investors.
Key Business Strategies
Connor's business strategy includes a focus on acquiring and developing luxury apartment buildings. His firm has a portfolio of $5 billion in assets and operates in 17 markets across the U.S.. Connor emphasizes maximizing value in a short time frame and selling properties rapidly. He has developed a unique company culture. Connor also prioritizes the importance of people within his organization and is known for hiring people outside of the real estate industry to avoid the industry standards, which he views as limitations.
Philanthropy
Connor is involved in philanthropic work through the Connor Group Kids & Community Partners, which provides opportunities for disadvantaged youth. He founded the Greater Dayton School, Ohio's first non-religious private school for under-resourced students. Additionally, he supports healthcare and research initiatives, including efforts with the Mayo Clinic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Connor donated $1.6 million to his employees as bonuses.
