CARING CONSULTANT: Brian Lannan tackles multimillion-dollar projects, championship canine competitions

Whether consulting with clients or showing championship dogs, Brian Lannan has struck gold. Well, copper.

The Henderson resident, who recently joined KDG Development and Construction Consulting as director of marketing, is the proud "papa" of CH Maijo-Lannan Mahogany Rowe, or Copper, Westminster Kennel Club's 1999 best-of-breed winner and No. 1 Lhasa apso in the nation.

As a consultant, Lannan assists companies with scheduling new building projects and capital improvements, establishing budgets and cash flow projections, and evaluating contractors' progress.

"I really like helping contractors or owners. I have a lot of knowledge to bring to the table, and with that knowledge we can minimize disputes or conflicts later on. We like to get involved in the design phase," said Lannan, pointing out that reviewing a project before it begins construction often improves its "bidability."

Such reviews, he said, help eliminate ambiguities and provide a clear and concise view of what is expected from contractors who bid on a project.

Lannan, who most recently worked in Phoenix, has 20 years of program/project management experience and eight years of experience providing construction and business interruption claims analysis. He has a bachelor's degree in business finance from the University of Montana, Missoula.

Jack Wickersham, vice president of KDG, said Lannan has been a "good fit" for the company. The two worked together in the late 1980s when both were consulting for utility companies in Southern California.

"Brian has merged seamlessly into our team, and has been readily accepted by our top clients," said Wickersham, who was responsible for recruiting Lannan. "(He) is a genuinely nice guy, and a good fit for the KDG corporate culture. Brian is valued for the way he thinks, the way he makes decisions and the way he treats people."

When Lannan gets tired of cold facts and hard numbers, he heads for home and is greeted by his wife, Alexis; their daughters, Lindsey, 5, and Lauren, 3; and any one of their six "furry" children.

"It doesn't matter if you've had a hard day in the office, you're always a celebrity to the dogs," he said.

Lhasa apsos have been an integral part of the Lannan family since 1993. In addition to Copper, the Lannans are the co-breeders of CH Keko's Tailor Made, which was the No. 1 Lhasa apso in the nation in 2001 and No. 1 Lhasa (male) dog in 2001.

Lannan, who didn't have a dog while growing up, was introduced to the breed by his wife. Lhasas, bred to serve as interior palace guard dogs in Tibet, are sweet but very territorial, he said.

The couple now breed Lhasas and show only those with exceptional qualities because of the expense and time involved. (The others are acclimated to children and become family pets.)

"It's kind of like sending a kid to college," Lannan said, "the more they win, the larger the fees."

He said he also doesn't feel it's fair to keep a dog on the show circuit for a long time. Since their long coats must be combed daily and break easily, show dogs are generally kept in cages or small pens.

Lannan's desire to help others carries over into his hobby as well. He serves as the southwestern regional coordinator for the American Lhasa Apso Club Rescue organization. He travels to shelters throughout Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico to pick up purebreds and Lhasa mixes, then takes them home, nurses them back to health, if necessary, and finds them new homes.

Lannan said he has rescued and placed only four dogs because "small dogs don't last long at shelters." When placing the rescued dogs, Lannan said he strives to find good, permanent matches.

"The last thing we want is to be called back. It's traumatic for the family and the dog."

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