Linda Kemper retires from William Lyon Homes
For 60 years, buyers have relied on William Lyon Homes’ dedication to beautiful, yet functional design, high-quality construction and a sterling reputation for customer satisfaction. For almost 20 of those years, Linda Kemper, vice president of Forward Planning for William Lyon’s Nevada Division, has played an integral role in bringing those values to the lives of thousands of Las Vegas-area homeowners.
Recently the builder announced that following nearly 20 years with William Lyon Homes, Kemper is about to embark on a well-deserved retirement.
According to Kemper, “I was fortunate to join this organization when it was just laying its foundation in Nevada. And I realized immediately this was a unique opportunity — to work with a homebuilder that really ‘walked the walk’ when it came to excellence in their homes and caring for their customers. William Lyon’s incredible corporate team created that roadmap, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to help implement that same mindset for our Las Vegas team.”
In fact, one of the reminders Kemper often shares seems to sum it up perfectly: “Payday may come just twice a month, but every day we can go home, look in the mirror, and realize that we’re not just building homes — we had the honor that day of helping to make someone’s dreams come true.”
It’s a belief everyone at William Lyon takes to heart. Kemper explains, “We know that for most people, buying a home is the most emotional purchase they will ever make. It has to do with everything that is important to them: achievement, pride, marriage, birth, transition and death. When you think about it, nearly every memory that we have is bound up in our experience of ‘home.’
She never took that knowledge for granted; that building homes has an impact on people’s lives. And how those homes are built makes a difference. Kemper flourished under the company’s corporate leadership, expanding her knowledge and expertise as the Southern Nevada division grew. Over time, she took a particular interest in the practicality and logic included in the architectural designs of William Lyon’s homes in Las Vegas.
“There are so many modifications that can be made to accommodate the way people really live in their homes, and that’s always been our goal at William Lyon. It doesn’t have to cost more to do it right — but it does take a commitment of time to put yourself in your buyer’s shoes so you can help shape an environment that makes sense.” A sampling of these touches includes window locations that allow more flexible furniture placement; linen closets instead of cabinetry so there’s a place to store pillows and comforters; or putting the shower/tub plumbing on the wall opposite the toilet, so parents can bathe their children without having to reach around the commode.
“It matters to us that we can have a positive impact on the day-to-day things that just make life a little easier,” Kemper said. She especially loves the feedback she hears from owners who have lived in a William Lyon home for a while. “They recognize that we really considered how so many seemingly small changes can add up to a huge difference, and that’s a very rewarding acknowledgement for all of us.”
Kemper’s commitment to William Lyon Homes has hinged on encouraging those she worked with to find the best in themselves, to push their boundaries, and to find solutions — for both the company and their homebuyers. Not surprisingly, these are the traits she’s most proud to be passing on.
There is no doubt that Kemper will be missed by the office ‘family’ that she’s belonged to for nearly 20 years, but during those decades, she’s crafted an enduring legacy.
To learn more about the 14 William Lyon Homes communities found throughout Las Vegas — priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $1 million — visit, www.lyonhomes.com/nevada.