Carl Arthur Raymond
The Man The Legend
August 7, 1939 – December 29, 2024
The Raymond family moved west from Massachusetts in the late 1920s, where Carl’s grandfather worked as a lathing contractor. During the early Depression years, Carl’s father, George, honed his skills in plastering, often working without pay. This experience laid the foundation for George to start his own company in 1936, securing his first significant contract in plastering for a housing tract. George’s successful relationships with these first customers led to numerous projects in the growing San Gabriel Valley.
In the post-war boom of the late 1940’s and the 1950’s, housing tracts were being built consisting of hundreds and sometimes even thousands of units. During this time, real estate developers, Louis Boyar and Mark Taper, developed the City of Lakewood, constructing 17,000 homes at an impressive pace of 57 houses per day. George M. Raymond’s company plastered these homes, as well as the Park La Brea Towers—eighteen 13-story buildings—simultaneously, employing 1,700 workers.
Raymond’s success began with George Raymond’s unwavering focus on people, customers, and the well-being of those who depend on the organization. In the 1940s and 50s, it was called “Raymondized”—a culture built on team unity, open communication, trust, and a shared drive for success.
When George passed away in 1964, Carl carried forward this belief in the customer, employees and the drive for excellence as the cornerstones of a great organization. He instilled these core values into the Raymond organization, ensuring its continued success.
Carl’s career is a remarkable story of innovation, leadership, and resilience. His contributions to both The Raymond Group and the broader industry have left a lasting impact. Initially, Carl’s focus was on establishing Raymond as a professional institution, one where both office and field personnel were empowered through his leadership, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. This early emphasis on leadership development laid the foundation for what would become a thriving organization.
However, in the early 1990s, Carl faced a profound personal challenge when he was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. Fully aware that this condition would eventually limit his ability to lead in the ways he had previously, Carl responded by strengthening his commitment to developing the leadership team at Raymond. He made it his mission to ensure that Raymond would continue to grow and succeed even in his absence.
Through Carl’s efforts, the leadership team at Raymond underwent a transformative shift. The company transitioned from Carl’s centralized leadership approach to a more dynamic, professionally managed organization. This evolution not only ensured the company’s continued success but also created a legacy of strong leadership that could weather any challenge.
Carl’s innovative spirit was not confined to internal company dynamics. His forward-thinking approach helped drive advancements within the industry at large, and his impact was felt by everyone who depended on Raymond’s success—employees, customers, and partners alike. Even in the face of adversity, Carl’s vision and leadership has helped shape the company and the industry and will continue to do so for many years to come.
