Mr. Jerry Lathan of Mobile, Ala. founded The Lathan Company in 1981. What began as a successful commercial roofing company has evolved into a premier historic restoration general contractor. With a portfolio including landmark buildings from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. to the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma Alabama, The Lathan Company has played a part in preserving some of the most iconic American landmark buildings and structures. 

 

The Lathan Company works with public and private sector owners throughout the Gulf Coast states and has a significant presence in Washington D.C.

 

Jerry graduated from the University of South Alabama with a marketing degree in 1978 and quickly went into business for himself after marrying the former Ms. Terry Murphy of Mobile. The Lathan’s are the proud parents of two adult children, Brittany who is a real-estate executive in New Orleans, LA and Adam who owns and operates successful restaurants in Brooklyn, NY and Nashville, TN. Jerry and Terry are active members of Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile. 

 

The Lathan Company currently employs 12 senior management team members and over 40 members of their self-performing labor force. A key element that sets The Lathan Company apart from other contractors is their use of European craftsman and artisan on projects coupled with an in-house mentorship program to pass old-world skillsets to younger American apprentices. 

 

Mr. Lathan and the Lathan Company have been recognized for their superior work product by numerous organizations including:

 

• Alumni Fellow of the Year by the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama (2020)

• Main Street Alabama Award for Historic Restoration (2020)

• Entrepreneur of the Year by the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama (2017)

• Louisiana Historic Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation (2016)

• Mississippi Architecture Institute Award for Historic Preservation (2009)

• National Roofing Contractors Association Gold Circle Award for Exceptional quality craftsmanship in renovations (2001)

 

Mr. Lathan organized and led a team of expert architects and engineers on a trip to Haiti after devastating earthquakes in 2010. They came at the request of the Minister of Culture to evaluate structural damage to various historic government facilities. In 2011, UNESCO World Heritage Fund published a white paper with their findings. 

 

In January 2020 Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits featured one of Mr. Lathan’s projects for its first in the nation use of a triple stack incentive package with an Opportunity Zone investment. It was also the first OZ project in Alabama. The Lathan Company converted a rural high school built in 1936, restored it and repurposed it as a senior care facility. 

 

The combination of State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits and Opportunity Zone Investment has led to a new venture for Mr. Lathan. Since the success of the Carillon Oaks Heflin project, he has formed Lathan Development, LLC to help other developers and communities repurpose historically significant buildings utilizing complex capital stacks. 

 

Mr. Jerry Lathan has over 40 years’ experience in construction with a focus on historic restoration. He has managed over $300 million in contract value with over $100 million in historic tax credit eligible work on over 50 projects. The Lathan Company, Lathan Development and his newest venture, Carillon Oaks Senior Care, employ over 250 individuals. 

 

Mr. Lathan is proud of his small contribution to preserving history and stands ready to offer his teams services to your next landmark project.