Larry Luster II
39 Occupation: Lobbyist and real estate investorEmail: larry@grconsultingil.com
Education: William Rainey Harper College; Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Family: Wife, Sierra; children, Kenadie, 17, Olivia, 6
Affiliations/community activities: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Omega Nu Chapter
What is your guiding principle in life? If you make a mistake, make it going 200 miles an hour. It's not always about accuracy, sometimes it's about simply giving it your all and playing with reckless abandon. We can't excuse a lack of effort.
What led you to your current career? One of my mentors took me to the Governors Ball in 2006. I was hooked.
What is your greatest hope for Springfield? I hope downtown Springfield returns to its mid-90s eminence.
What would you like your life to look like in five years? 10? I generally want to be fitter, wiser, more accomplished, more polished and more disciplined.
What would you like to give back to your community? I want to give more Black boys hope for their future the same way leaders at Union Baptist Church and my football coaches at SHG gave me hope.
What obstacles have you been able to overcome on your career path? Self-doubt and racism
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path? Read more
What has been your greatest professional achievement to date? Winning a statewide campaign as the political and field director for Attorney General Kwame Raoul and then going on to become his campaign manager.
Are there any events of the past year that have affected you and how so? I broke 100 at Illini, so now I spend more money on golf equipment I don't need.
What's the worst career advice you've ever received? Cut your hair
