Lamar Smith

Owner/Developer/Builder

Meet Lamar Smith. Lamar is founder and president of the Lamar Smith Signature Group. Over the past 20 years, he has built a reputation on vision, integrity, and respect for the natural beauty of Coastal Georgia. From land development to commercial building to residential construction, his goal has always been to enrich communities – to create places that aesthetically and functionally make the community a better place to live.

After observing the effects of the new economy, Lamar knew he could and should “redefine the affordable home.” He believes families deserve a quality home that will accommodate their lifestyle and offer plenty of space for a growing family – at a price that the average family can afford. That spirit created Lamar Smith Signature Homes.

Over the years, he has studied responsible land development strategies and New Urbanism to maximize green space and decrease unplanned urban sprawl. Lamar grew up in Reidsville, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia. His family includes his wife, Edie, and two sons, Taylor and Steven. His spiritual and family life is an integral part of his professional life.

His dedication to family and community include serving on the Coastal Area YMCA Board, fund-raising for The Boy Scouts, supporting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Pinewood Christian Academy, in addition to assisting many organizations that benefit children and help a community grow. His hobbies and enjoyment span piloting his plane and wing shooting to traveling with his family.

Georgia Licensed Builder
Residential & Light Commercial

Jeff Kramer

President/Builder

Meet Jeff Kramer. Jeff is currently President of Lamar Smith Signature Homes where he leads and coordinates all departments, building a team whose main objective is to provide each buyer with a unique and extraordinary homebuying experience.

Jeff graduated 'cum laude' from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Construction Management. Upon graduating, he accepted a position as Field Manager with Centex Homes, one of the top national builders in the country, in their Charleston, SC, division. While in Charleston, he built in four different communities over the course of three years before transferring to their Bluffton/Hilton Head division, where he also served as Field Manager in a mid-high end golf course community.

After leaving Centex Homes, Jeff accepted a position with Ernest Homes in Richmond Hill, GA, as Vice President of Construction, where he worked for ten years. There he oversaw CAD/Design, Purchasing & Estimating, Warranty/Customer Care, and the Construction Department. He also oversaw the building of their brand new, state-of-the-art Design Gallery and implemented a fully integrated enterprise software system. During this period, Jeff also earned his MBA degree from Georgia Southern University.

Prior to entering the construction industry as a career, Jeff played professional baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He pitched for three years with their Minor League teams in Montana, California, and Texas.

He now lives in Rincon with his wife and their three daughters. Jeff and his family are active church members, enjoy trips to the mountains, and spend time together outside. Jeff also enjoys playing golf and riding his motorcycle whenever he finds time.

Georgia Licensed Builder
Residential & Light Commercial

Ashley Durrence

Chief Operating Officer

Meet Ashley Durrence. Ashley is Chief Operating Officer for Lamar Smith Signature Group, which oversees and manages all Lamar Smith companies. He has been with Lamar Smith Signature Group since March 2007.

A former staff accountant with Draffin & Tucker, LLP in Albany, Georgia, Ashley earned his Masters Degree in Accounting and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Active in his community, Ashley holds a Council seat in the City of Reidsville and works diligently to improve economic growth in his hometown.

Ashley and his wife, Tina, live in Reidsville with their two children, Colby and Ansley Kate.

Andrea Powell

Marketing Consultant & Customer Consultant

Meet Andrea Powell. Andrea is our Online Consultant and handles the marketing program for Lamar Smith Signature Group. She also helps homebuyers who visit our Web site or find our homes when browsing the Internet.

She collaborated with Lamar for several years in volunteer service to the Savannah HBA Board of Directors before bringing her sales & marketing talents to his homebuilding company.

She was a former homebuilder herself and a real estate magazine publisher, so her in depth knowledge of the industry allows her to handle her dual responsibilities efficiently and with expertise. She is also a licensed financial planner.

Melanie Debeltrand

Administrative Assistant

Meet Melanie Debeltrand. Melanie is the Administrative Assistant for Lamar Smith Signature Group, which oversees and manages all Lamar Smith companies. She has been with Lamar Smith Signature Group since August 2009. She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

A transplant from Pompano Beach, Florida, Melanie was Executive Director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Broward County. What does she miss most about Florida? “The Beach and my family…”

After moving to Georgia in 2004, she worked for The Family Haven, a Domestic Violence Shelter for women and children in North Georgia. During her time at Family Haven, she helped in writing and raising the funds for a 1.7 million dollar Capital Campaign to build a new shelter. The brand new shelter was completed in the Spring 2009.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Pat, live in Manassas. “Sneeze and you missed it, but we love it,” she says. They have two children, three grandchildren, and one on the way. Oh, and two adopted dogs.

Ryan Edenfield

Building Superintendent