Layne grew up in Fairbury, Nebraska and graduated from Southeast Community College-Milford in Electrical Technology. After moving to Omaha, he was employed by Wesco for 4 years then joined AES Lighting Group as a lighting manufactures representative. He has been with the company for over 35 years. He and his wife Sherry raised four daughters and have four grandsons. Layne spends his summers at the lake with family and friends riding their wave runners. He enjoys cheering on the Nebraska Huskers teams along with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Cardinals.