Lanz earns Leadership Through Inclusion Alumni Award

Jorge I. Lanz was presented with the 2019 Leadership Through Inclusion Alumni Award during the annual Speed School homecoming dinner held October 25 at the Brown Hotel. He earned the award for his contribution to and enhancement to the field of engineering while demonstrating an exceptional understanding of diversity and inclusiveness beyond his regular duties.

Lanz was born in Havana, Cuba, but was raised in Colombia as a child and in Ponce, Puerto Rico as an adolescent. In 1973, he came to Louisville, Kentucky with a life-long friend that had studied in Louisville. That same year, Jorge enrolled at the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering and by 1979 had obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Lanz started working for a small local civil engineering and land surveying firm, Jacobi, Toombs, Inc., following graduation in 1977. He became a partner in the firm in 1987 and the firm’s name was changed to Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, Inc. In 1998, Jorge became the firm’s president and continues in that role to this day. Under Jorge’s direction, the firm has grown from 8 to 45 employees with offices in Louisville, New Albany and Indianapolis, and has expanded its service area through the states of Indiana and Kentucky. Jorge is a licensed professional engineer in the States of Indiana and Kentucky.

He is committed to encouraging and supporting Hispanic and other minority engineering students. He is past president of GLI’s Hispanic Latino Business Council, and remains a supporter of the University of Louisville’s Foundation, targeting funds in promoting Speed School’s advancement of minority students, including Speed School annual Diversity Jubilee. He also served on the board of Directors of One Southern Indiana, Goodwill Bridge Point Services, and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana.

In 2016, Lanz was presented with the Professional Award in Civil Engineering.

In his spare time, Lanz enjoys his 40-year marriage to his wife Teresa, is an avid golfer, enjoys playing music, exercising, supporting UofL sports and spending time with family and friends.