Larry Connor

{{Short description|American real estate and technology entrepreneur (born 1950)}}

{{Infobox astronaut

| name =

| image = File:Larry Connor.png

| caption =

| type = Axiom Space

| status =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1950|01|07}}

| birth_place = Albany, New York, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater =

| rank =

| selection =

| time = 17 days, 1 hour and 48 minutes

| mission = Axiom Mission 1

| insignia =

}}

Larry Connor (born January 7, 1950) is an American real estate and technology business person, as well as a private astronaut.{{Cite web |last=Margetta |first=Robert |date=2022-02-02 |title=NASA, Space Station Partners Approve First Axiom Mission Astronauts |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-space-station-partners-approve-first-axiom-mission-astronauts |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=NASA}} Connor is the head of the Connor Group, a real estate investment firm located in Dayton, Ohio.{{Cite web |title=See why Larry Connor says Dayton has 'huge advantages' |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/see-why-larry-connor-says-dayton-has-huge-advantages/DKAZWNEMZRCXHIJPPJVQEL62JA/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=dayton-daily-news |language=English}}

Education

Born in 1950 in Albany, New York, Connor graduated from Archbishop Alter High School in 1968 in Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, and summa cum laude in 1972 from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio{{Cite web|url=http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/lifestyles/dayton-native-doesnt-let-label-define-him/nnNW6/|title=Labels don't define local owner of billion dollar company|last=Beth|first=Anspach|date=August 26, 2015|publisher=Dayton Daily News|access-date=September 16, 2016}} where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Connor was a member of Who’s Who of College Students and was one of 22 students out of a class of 4,500 undergraduates selected to the Ohio University J Club.{{Cite web|url=https://ohiotoday.org/larry-connor-from-sea-to-space/|title=From sea to space |first=Jen Jones |last=Donatelli|publisher=ohiotoday.com|date=September 19, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2023}}

Career

From 1982 to 1990, Connor owned Orlando Computer Corp.{{Cite web|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=OfficerRegisteredAgentName&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=CONNORLAWRENCES%2520G208350&aggregateId=domp-g20835-157cba91-46f0-4754-b715-7a6fa24ddf06&searchTerm=Connor%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520Laurie%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520A&listNameOrder=CONNORLAURIEA%2520L130001488822|title=Detail by Officer/Registered Agent Name|publisher=search.sunbiz.org|access-date=September 16, 2016}} The company had operations in central Florida and Cincinnati, OH, providing hardware and software to businesses. The Connor Group, a real estate investment firm, was founded as Connor, Murphy & Buhrman in 1992. Connor bought out his partners and established the Connor Group in 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://www.connorgroup.com/about-us|title=About Us|publisher=The Connor Group|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=September 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903044410/http://www.connorgroup.com/about-us|url-status=dead}} Over the next 18 years, the Connor Group grew from $100 million in assets to $4 billion.{{Cite web|title=Our Communities |url=https://connorgroup.com/company|access-date=June 15, 2021 |publisher=The Connor Group}}

Connor co-founded Heartland Regional Power in 2004.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.firstbillingservices.com/docs/hrprelease.pdf|title=First Billing Services Acquires Heartland Regional Power|date=January 4, 2012|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619131858/https://www.firstbillingservices.com/docs/hrprelease.pdf|url-status=dead}} First Billing Services, an online payment and bill processing platform also co-founded by Connor, later acquired the firm.{{Cite web|title=First Billing Services: Billing and Payment Solutions for Your Business|url=https://www.firstbillingservices.com/default.aspx|access-date=September 16, 2016|publisher=www.firstbillingservices.com|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901090104/http://firstbillingservices.com/default.aspx|url-status=dead}} In 2007, Connor founded the Connor Group Kids & Community Partners,{{Cite web|url=http://www.kidsandcommunitypartners.com/|title=The Connor Group Kids and Community Partners {{!}} Transforming Good Causes into Great Programs|publisher=www.kidsandcommunitypartners.com|access-date=September 16, 2016}} serving disadvantaged youth in communities where the Connor Group operates.

Connor has been a member of the National Council of McLean Hospital since 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mcleanhospital.org/about|title=About Us {{!}} McLean Hospital|publisher=www.mcleanhospital.org|access-date=September 16, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-trustees-recognize-new-named-professors/|title=Mayo Clinic Trustees Recognize New Named Professors|date=August 8, 2014|publisher=newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org|access-date=September 16, 2016}} Connor and the Connor Group have received awards including the 2014 Glassdoor Top 50 Best Places to Work in the US, Small and Medium-Sized Companies,{{Cite web|title=2014 Top Workplace|url=http://www.connorgroup.com/news/2014-top-workplace|access-date=September 16, 2016|publisher=The Connor Group}} a nomination to the Dayton Magazine 2017 Dayton Business Hall of Fame{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2017-12-01|title=Dayton Business Hall of Fame|url=https://www.thedaytonmagazine.com/dayton-business-hall-of-fame-2/|access-date=March 24, 2017|website=Dayton Magazine|language=en-US}} and multiple Dayton Business Journal Top 100 Businesses in the Region.{{Cite web|title=DBJ names Business of the Year winners for 2014|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2014/09/29/dbj-names-business-of-the-year-winners-for-2014.html?page=all&ana=e_day_bn_breakingnews&u=gnOE7YHRPYPV1MtTIlETQcsQI42&t=1412025875|access-date=September 16, 2016|work=Dayton Business Journal}}

In 2017, Connor lead fundraising efforts for the redevelopment of The University of Dayton's indoor stadium, UD Arena. He was tasked with raising $33 million of the $72 million total. Connor made a substantial donation himself, before finding other donors to raise the amount required.{{cite web |last1=Archdeacon |first1=Tom |title=Tom Archdeacon: Local adventurist spearheads UD Arena project |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/tom-archdeacon-local-adventurist-spearheads-arena-project/iKchGQpo7u8yJvvPlnhR4I |publisher=Dayton Daily News |date=October 8, 2017}} The stadium opened in 2019 following its renovation.

Connor co-founded First Billing Services in 2003, which provided payment solutions to utility and municipal government clients. In 2019, it was announced that it would be acquired by Atlanta-based, Paya Inc.{{cite web |title=Connor Group sells First Billing Services for $57.5M |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/business/just-connor-group-sells-subsidiary-for/YYw1QdQf1q2QfHpmLPWuZL |publisher=Dayton Daily News |date=January 9, 2019}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Connor made efforts to help alleviate effects of the pandemic for his employees. On April 23, 2020, he donated $1.6 million as bonuses to his associates, which was given to those on salaries under $150,000 per year.{{Cite web|last=Setty|first=Ganesh|title=A real estate CEO made $1.6 million in the stock market. Then he gave the money to his employees|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/boss-gives-1-6-million-to-employees-trnd/index.html|access-date=May 20, 2020|website=CNN|date=May 2020 }} He also agreed to fund childcare expenses and expanded the company-sponsored loan program.{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Terina |title=Employees Speechless After Getting Up To $9,000 Bonus Checks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/terinaallen/2020/05/05/watch-employees-speechless-after-getting--up-to-9000-bonus-checks/?sh=33a816513a56 |work=Forbes |date=May 5, 2020}}

Sports and personal interests

Connor is a private pilot involved in several aerobatic competitions.{{Cite web |title=Pilot Larry Connor {{!}} International Aerobatic Club |url=https://www.iac.org/media-gallery/detail/1845/5205 |access-date=September 16, 2016 |website=www.iac.org |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416114928/https://www.iac.org/media-gallery/detail/1845/5205 |url-status=dead }}

In 1983, Connor had a single start in the Atlantic Championship, named Formula Mondial North America at the time, and raced intermittently at various levels of SCCA and Formula 2000 competition since, as well as vintage racing. In 2000 and 2001, Connor was the winner of the SCCA Formula Atlantic National Championship. He also raced in 2002 to defend his title.{{cite web |title=SCCA Runoffs grids set |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2113201/scca-runoffs-grids-set/ |publisher=Autoweek |date=September 19, 2002}} Later that year, he competed in the 2002 24 Hours of Daytona.{{cite web |title=SCC: Daytona 24: Race results |date=February 6, 2002 |url=https://us.motorsport.com/grandam/news/scc-daytona-24-race-results/1950203/ |publisher=Motorsport.com}}

In 2003, Connor was part of the winning team at Petit Le Mans in the LMP675 class.{{cite web |title=Champion wins at Petit, but Team Joest is champion |url=https://us.motorsport.com/alms/news/champion-wins-at-petit-but-team-joest-is-champion/2022700/ |publisher=Motorsport.com |date=October 20, 2003}} Connor also competed in the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans.{{cite web |title=24 Heures du Mans 2004 |url=http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/24hauto/live/ressources/pdf/classements_24h/fi_classement.pdf |publisher=Le Mans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619233914/http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/24hauto/live/ressources/pdf/classements_24h/fi_classement.pdf |archive-date=June 19, 2004}} In 2005, Connor signed with Genoa Racing to make his Infiniti Pro Series debut at the Liberty Challenge, but an airborne crash during qualifying left him out of the event, being credited with a finishing position despite not starting the race.{{Cite web |date=2005-06-17 |title=MIPS: Connor flips in Liberty Challenge qualifying |url=https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/21971/1/mips-connor-flips-in-liberty-challenge-qualifying |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Crash |language=en}} He later came back at Watkins Glen, finishing 8th in his only start in the series.{{Cite web |date=2005-09-22 |title=MIPS: Connor returns at The Glen. |url=https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/22474/1/mips-connor-returns-at-the-glen |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Crash |language=en}}

Connor is the founder of Team C Racing. Competing in the Truck Spec class, Connor won the Baja 1000 in 2014. In June 2016, the team won the Baja 500 Trophy Truck Spec series. Team C Racing recorded a winning time of 10 hours and 33 minutes, two hours in front of the second placed team.{{cite web |last1=Pendleton |first1=Marc F. |title=Team C Racing wins Baja 500 |url=https://www.journal-news.com/sports/team-racing-wins-baja-500/j8btO2n3GVjgYBQ1pPGi1N/ |publisher=The Journal News |date=June 7, 2016}}

In April 2021, Connor completed 3 dives in the Hadal zone, part of the Pacific Ocean with depths below 20,000 ft. The dives were completed alongside Patrick Lahey, with the aim of better understanding of the geologic and biologic makeup of the Hadal zone. The three dives covered Challenger Deep, Sirena Deep and a seamount in the Mariana Trench.{{cite web |last1=Sheetz |first1=Michael |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Real estate entrepreneur aims to be first to reach space and the bottom of the ocean within a year |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/07/real-estate-entrepreneur-to-dive-to-mariana-trench-fly-with-spacex.html |publisher=CNBC}} Prior to April 2021, only two other people had explored the Sirena Deep: Victor Vescovo and Alan Jamieson in 2018.{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Wayne |title=Larry Connor preps for dive to depths of Mariana Trench |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/04/08/ohio-larry-connor-dive-mariana-trench-date-set-april-2021/7122098002/ |publisher=USA Today}} Connor reported that he aimed to go both to space and to the deepest part of the ocean within the same year.{{cite web |last1=Espindle |first1=Mike |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Famed Explorer Taps Triton Subs For Latest Challenge...But That's Only Half The Story |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeespindle/2021/07/30/famed-explorer-taps-triton-subs-for-latest-challengebut-thats-only-half-the-story/?sh=4110b117925a |work=Forbes}}

On April 8, 2022, Connor was a private astronaut on Axiom Mission 1, traveling to the International Space Station (ISS).{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=Elizabeth |title=Ax-1's first all-private crew to space station would love a trip to the moon. 'The sights here are amazing.' |date=April 15, 2022 |url=https://www.space.com/ax-1-flying-space-sights-amazing |publisher=Space.com}} The mission was the first all-private space mission to the International Space Station, with Connor one of a four-member crew, serving as pilot.{{cite web |last1=Thorbecke |first1=Catherine |date=April 8, 2022 |title=What to know about Axiom Space, the company behind the first all-private mission to the ISS |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/06/tech/axiom-space-spacex-launch/index.html |publisher=CNN}} At 72 years of age, Connor was the second oldest person to enter orbit, after John Glenn who entered space aged 77.{{cite magazine |author=Robert Z. Pearlman |date=26 January 2021 |title=Axiom Space Names First Private Crew to Visit Space Station |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/axiom-space-names-first-private-crew-to-visit-space-station/ |magazine=Scientific American |via=SPACE.com}}{{Cite web |last=Margetta |first=Robert |date=2022-02-02 |title=NASA, Space Station Partners Approve First Axiom Mission Astronauts |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-space-station-partners-approve-first-axiom-mission-astronauts |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=NASA}} Connor took heart cells to the ISS' microgravity laboratory.{{cite web |last1=Frolik |first1=Cornelius |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Live from space: Larry Connor checks in |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/live-from-space-larry-connor-checks-in/Q32XIEWTMFDQFKA45TOS7IQUZQ/ |publisher=Dayton Daily News }}

In May 2024, it was announced that Connor was behind the design and building of a $20 million submersible, the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, and planned to voyage to the wreck of the OceanGate Titan submersible implosion with Triton Submarines co-founder Patrick Lahey to prove that a journey to the Titanic site is possible, and safe, and that the industry had made improvements in the wake of the OceanGate implosion.{{cite news |title=Ohio Billionaire from Dayton planning to take sub to Titanic site to prove a point |url=https://www.local12.com/news/nation-world/larry-connor-patrick-lahey-ohio-billionaire-from-dayton-planning-take-sub-titanic-site-prove-point-triton-40002-abyssal-explorer-cincinnati-daring-expeditions-exploration-design-mechanical-oceangate-implosion-tragedy-tragic |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=WKRC |date=28 May 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Koenig |first1=Kevin |last2=Finke |first2=Brian |title=After the OceanGate Implosion, the Ultra Wealthy Still Can't Resist the Deep Sea |url=https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/submersible-industry-after-oceangate-6b412e70?mod=hp_lead_pos8 |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=WSJ}}

In September 2024, Larry Connor received the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Armstrong Award, recognizing his leadership and innovation in aviation and aerospace.{{cite web |title=The National Aviation Hall of Fame to Present Prestigious Armstrong Award to Larry Connor |url=https://nationalaviation.org/the-national-aviation-hall-of-fame-to-present-prestigious-armstrong-award-to-larry-connor/ |access-date=4 November 2024 |publisher=National Aviation Hall of Fame |date=May 2024 |language=en}}

=Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
Year ! Team ! Co-Drivers ! Car ! Class ! Laps ! {{Tooltip\|Pos.\|Overall Position}} ! {{Tooltip\|Class Pos.\|Class Position}}
{{24hLM\|2004}} \|align=left\| {{flagicon\|USA}} Intersport Racing \|align=left\| {{flagicon\|USA}} Jon Field {{flagicon\|USA}} Duncan Dayton \|align=left\| Lola B01/60 \| LMP1 \| 29 \| DNF \| DNF
colspan="8"\|{{center\|{{small\|Sources:{{cite web\|title=Larry Connor Results\|url=https://www.motorsportstats.com/driver/larry-connor/results\|access-date=30 October 2023}}{{cite web\|title=Larry Connor\|url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/track-record/driver/larry-connor-5627\|publisher=Automobile Club de l'Ouest\|access-date=30 October 2023}}}}}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

Year

! Team

! Co-Drivers

! Car

! Class

! Laps

! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Overall Position}}

! {{Tooltip|Class
Pos.|Class Position}}

|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} Intersport Racing

|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} Jon Field
{{flagicon|USA}} Duncan Dayton

|align=left| Lola B01/60

| LMP1

| 29

| DNF

colspan="8"|{{center|{{small|Sources:{{cite web|title=Larry Connor Results|url=https://www.motorsportstats.com/driver/larry-connor/results|access-date=30 October 2023}}{{cite web|title=Larry Connor|url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/track-record/driver/larry-connor-5627|publisher=Automobile Club de l'Ouest|access-date=30 October 2023}}}}}}