William H. Franz and his wife, Laurie, bought a four-bedroom, four bath home at 16 Outer Ladue Dr. in Frontenac for $1.995 million from St. Louis-based Robert Berkley and Son Development on March 5.

Robert Berkley and Son Development paid $590,000 for the home at 16 Outer Ladue Dr. in Oct. 2004 before rebuilding the 5, 561 home that exists today.

Since July 2004, Mr. Franz has been the president and CEO of XTRA Corp., a trailer-leasing company based in St. Louis and owned by insurance giant Berkshire Hathaway. He has been the president of XTRA Corp. since 1993.

Prior to his current role with the company, Mr. Franz served as the divisional Executive Vice President upon joining the company in 1992. He began his career in the transportation industry as a branch operations manager for GE's Transport International Pool in 1974, and eventually rose to vice president of operations before joining Strick Lease in 1990 as a regional vice president.

Mr. Franz received his Bachelor's degree from Notre Dame University.

The Franzs have previously owned property at 16418 Wilson Farm Dr. in Chesterfield and 15987 Kettington Rd. in Clarkson Valley.

Address: 16 Outer Ladue Drive
Buyer(s): Franz Laurie J Et Franz William H Et Ux Con
Seller(s): Robert Berkley And Son Development
Sale date: Mar. 5, 2007