Layne is a pharmacist by training and was a healthcare consultant business owner for over 30 years focusing on marketing, strategic planning, and program coordination/implementation. Prior to being a business owner, Layne worked in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Layne was originally diagnosed with PLS in 2017 by Dr Matthew Harms at Columbia University. The diagnosis was changed to ALS in November 2020. Since his ALS diagnosis, Layne has been active in the ALS community, with involvement in I AM ALS, The ALS Problem Solvers, the NEALS PEACe Committee, the HEALY Platform Patient Advisory Committee, and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. Layne is a member of the NIH/NINDS ALS Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

Layne has been married to his beautiful wife Ann for 40 years, has 5 children (2 married in), and 4 grandchildren (all girls). He loves to spend time with his family.