Southeast Lanier Living | Published July 2025

From Everywhere to Lake Lanier:
The Baxter Family’s Story
By: Nanci Allen
Photos by: Renee Rogers Photography and the Baxter family

After years of exploring life in different locations, the Baxter family has found their perfect home with beautiful Lake Lanier as their backdrop. It is a home that mirrors the family’s sense of adventure, growth, and appreciation for natural beauty and community spirit.

At the helm of the family are Todd and his wife, Laura, who have been together for more than two decades. The couple had a chance meeting in Florida when Laura came to interview for a position at the company where Todd worked.

“The rest is history, as they say,” Todd quipped.

From that first encounter grew a life rich in experiences and movement. Through the years, the couple has lived in Florida, Georgia, Colorado, and Texas before finally settling in North Georgia, where Lake Lanier now serves as their peaceful and dynamic home base.

The Baxter children, Colton, 25, Anabelle, 17, and Knox, 9, each bring their own unique spirit to the family.

Anabelle, active in both theater and volleyball throughout middle and high school, has received state awards such as Best Featured Performer for her acting and literary competitions.

While she is passionate about sports and the performing arts, she has proven to be quite strong academically as well. Her career of choice has yet to be determined, but she is looking forward to her senior year, having worked really hard to position herself with many great options once she graduates.

‘We are all very proud of her,” Todd said. “She has this calm determination about her which has and will serve her well in life.”

The youngest sibling, Knox, is a whirlwind of energy and athleticism, participating in every sport he can and confidently proclaiming he’ll “go pro in something.”

Todd joked that a future genetics class might temper that ambition.

“That is where he will likely learn his chances of going pro are more limited than he currently thinks.”

But for now, Knox’s enthusiasm and sports-stat knowledge keep the family entertained.

“He’s incredibly athletic and a sports statistics savant of sorts,” Todd said.

The oldest, Colton, relocated to Utah to enjoy winter sports, especially snowboarding. Like his father, he has pursued a career fueled by passion, competitive driving and customizing vehicles. Previously Todd enjoyed getting on the track with the PCA (Porsche Club of America) and that’s likely where he got it from. Unfortunately, Todd has not found time for that activity lately. 

Todd describes Colton as “A bit more of a free spirit than the rest of the family, and not a fan of humidity. He has chosen to make the Mountain West his home.”

Even the family cat, Indigo, has her role-bringing a calm presence to the home by curling up on the back of a couch in the most active room and setting the tone for quiet evenings.

While home life keeps things lively and balanced, Todd’s professional world is equally dynamic. With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and an MBA, from East Tennessee State, he’s built a career leading well-known brands and companies through transformations from successful founder-led enterprises or turnaround opportunities to successful acquisitions by larger companies, Private Equity firms, or IPOs. Todd thrives on helping organizations evolve and succeed.

“It has been a rewarding and exciting career, and I continue to enjoy each and every new and exciting challenge,” he said.

Laura, a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, focused on management information systems, dedicated nearly 20 years to raising her children.

Recently she has turned her long-time passion for fitness and health into a business venture, becoming the owner and operator of Orangetheory Fitness in Gainesville.

“She has been a brand ambassador for years,” Todd noted “and is really enjoying running a small business in the rapidly growing Gainesville market.”

If the two were not busy enough, they also co-founded Baxter Southern Properties, a real estate development firm focused on revitalizing the Main Streets in small towns in Virginia and Tennessee by restoring historic buildings into mixed-use retail and apartments.

“We have a project underway in my hometown in Virginia, and my sister is a partner in this development effort,” Todd revealed.

Since moving to Lake Lanier, the Baxters have embraced local life.

Todd is deeply involved in the Lake Lanier community. He joined the Lake Lanier Association, a nonprofit group with thousands of members that has worked for over 60 years to preserve Lake Lanier’s water quality and quantity for everyone who relies on the lake and its watershed to enhance their quality of life. What started as a volunteer commitment turned into a leadership opportunity on the board, and Todd now proudly serves as President of the organization.

“I’m so proud of the great work done by this organization to keep Lake Lanier clean, full and safe,” he said.

The Baxter family also makes the most of their surroundings. Whether boating, swimming, exploring nearby small “Southern” towns, or simply enjoying the three seasons that North Georgia offers, they’re grateful to have found a place that truly feels like home without the harsh winters they previously endured.

Their neighborhood off Dawsonville Highway is directly on the lake and is home to a small group of friendly, close-knit, mostly retired neighbors who keep an eye out for one another.

While Lake Lanier is their home, travel is another key part of the Baxters lifestyle. The family vacations in warm weather climates with crystal clear water, often gravitating to the Caribbean and the Florida Keys for annual trips. They have been to nearly all the countries in the Caribbean, and now their curiosity has also drawn them to destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean to learn about people from the past.

We love visiting historical sites where we can appreciate how ancient civilizations once thrived,” Todd explained.

As a proud Tennessee Volunteers fan, Todd keeps his East Tennessee roots alive. His family history in the area dates back to Revolutionary War-era land grants and supporting Vols football.

He happily continues the tradition passed down through generations of celebrating the family’s favorite team.

“I grew up in an environment that often centered around the Vols, Todd said. We have had season tickets to Tennessee football for years and enjoy spending our fall Saturdays cheering on the Volunteers with friends and family.”

As someone who values the land and the people around him, Todd offers a final thought:

“While no place is perfect, we are all so fortunate to live where we do! Get out and enjoy it, protect it and preserve it, and appreciate our collective good fortune.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Southeast Lanier Living magazine, please visit – www.bestversionmedia.com/magazines/southeastlanierliving.