Lohmiller Is In The Business Of Protecting Freedom

By Mike Perleberg Andy Lohmiller is running his tri-state area real estate company from Afghanistan, where he is serving with the Indiana National Guard. Photo provided. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – He’s the owner of a rapidly growing real estate company, but Andy Lohmiller has made serving his country a priority. The president of Lawrenceburg-based Lohmiller Real Estate is currently on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Sgt. First Class Lohmiller has been there since February as a member of the 38th Infantry Division of the Indiana National Guard, which he has served with for 15 years. Like most American soldiers in Afghanistan, Lohmiller is contributing to NATO’s ongoing Resolute Support Mission to secure the country from the Taliban, ensuring it never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists. Earlier this year, the 33-year-old participated in combat operations in the heavily contested Helmand Province, where NATO troops have been training, advising, and assisting the Afghan army in taking back territory. He has run a platoon for ground defense area patrols. During engagements with the enemy, Lohmiller’s platoon suffered some casualties. “Younger soldiers are counting on our experience. I’m transferring knowledge to the next generation of leaders,” he says during an internet call from Kabul. Being in a position to give back feels good, Andy adds. Andy Lohmiller in the field. Photo provided. Lohmiller Real Estate has not been a casualty of its founder’s physical absence. In fact, Andy credits his military service, in part, for the success of the company. The business sold $55 million in property in southeastern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, and northern Kentucky in 2016. “I owe the Guard. The U.S Army has taught me a lot about organizational leadership and planning,” says Lohmiller. The 2003 South Dearborn High School graduate indicates that his military training and experience has been more valuable than he could have gotten by pursuing an MBA. Andy’s wife, Lindsay, and a team of managers are running various aspects of the businesses while he is away. This year, Lohmiller Real Estate is on pace to sell $80 million in property. The growing business opened a new office in Florence, Kentucky this month, now employing 65 people. “Running the business from here is working out. I am still pretty involved with it really, but they are doing a good job for me,” says Lohmiller. The 2014 Southeastern Indiana Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year keeps in touch regularly with his managers using Skype for business. Almost daily he gets some face time with Lindsay and their three sons thanks to Facebook chats. The family are members of St. Lawrence Catholic Parish in Lawrenceburg. They have created The Lohmiller Foundation “to support housing and living environment related initiatives for the less fortunate, the oppressed, and the protectors of freedom at home and abroad.” Since Andy's first deployment to Afghanistan in 2004-2005, the country which was then stuck in the dark ages compared to the U.S. has now seen the proliferation of phone and internet service. He has observed many other changes in the war-torn country. “It’s interesting because 13 years ago when I was here I was handing out candy bars to kids. Now those kids are either fighting with us or against us with the Taliban,” he explains. Lohmiller (right) with Command Sergeant Major Troy Craft at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Photo provided. Serving in the same Indiana National Guard division with Lohmiller is Command Sergeant Major Troy Craft, a Greendale resident. The husband and father of two kids is on his third deployment. Craft has previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was in Washington, D.C. when the Pentagon was attacked on September 11, 2001. He was one of the first people to aid in aftermath of the attack. “I can’t say enough good things about the CSM” says Lohmiller. “He’s a stand up member of our community.” An East Central High School graduate, Craft works as an enforcement agent for the Indiana Gaming Commission. Lohmiller and Craft will return to Indiana when their deployment ends in the fall. This may not be Lohmiller’s last deployment overseas. He says he doesn’t plan to retire from the Indiana National Guard for at least another five years.