Gerald was a savvy business leader who had more than 30 years of sales, marketing and business development experience.

Expertise Gerald was Principal and Chief Client Officer at Lang Strategies where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Business Development practice area for the firm. Prior to being one of the three founding principals of the firm he spent most of his career making his mark as a sales and marketing executive at The Prudential Insurance Company of America. He served in various capacities with increased responsibilities while accumulating unprecedented sales records as a sales associate, sales manager, training consultant, district agency director and executive director. In his final position at Prudential, Gerald was recruited to oversee the company’s Urban Marketing Initiative in its Baltimore office, where he led grassroots efforts to increase and promote Prudential’s portfolio in urban neighborhoods underserved by major insurance companies.

When Gerald retired from Prudential, he was highly touted to manage the U.S. operations of INDE, Inc., a company that produced Italian luxury leather fashion for Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and other specialty boutiques in Switzerland and Austria. As senior vice president, he oversaw sales and marketing for seven years and successfully launched products in the U.S. market at several high-end stores.

Accomplishments

• Led the Baltimore office of Prudential’s nationwide Urban Marketing Initiative in all categories for lead hires, number of offices opened, and recruitment and retention rates.
• Attended Prudential’s International Business Conference, International Management Conference and the Million Dollar Roundtable as one of the company’s top agents in the insurance industry.
• Increased annual sales for INDE, Inc. from 22 percent to 46 percent in just four years.
• Invited to serve as a panelist and speaker on radio and television to discuss entrepreneurship and business development; included appearances on Fox, NBC, BET and WKYS 93.9 in the District of Columbia.

Credentials
Gerald attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla. While at Prudential, he attended a series of insurance, management, leadership, sales and financial courses where he received numerous certifications and licenses. He was chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer of the University of the District of Columbia and chair of the Circles Board at the John F. Kennedy Center. Gerald has also served on boards and committees at the Baltimore Urban League, The Children’s Law Center, and the FBI Academy.

Personal
Gerald’s energy did not stop when he left the office. He was an avid water skier. Gerald shared his experience and wisdom through volunteering and philanthropy efforts – assisting organizations and non-profits with business development and introductions to influential executives. He was engaged with business development activities for the firm until the very end of his life. He is missed by his family and his business colleagues.