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DEL.ICIO.USThe passing of Ron Brown of Atlanta Life
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The sudden death of Ron Brown, the CEO of Atlanta Life Financial Group, came as an emotional blow to Bill Clement, a long time friend who is chairman of Atlanta Life.
“He was very, very special,” Clement said. “We’ve been down here with the employees this morning, and everybody spoke so fondly of him.” More here.
Brown, 54, passed away late Monday following complications from a surgery he had last Wednesday.
“It was just three weeks ago that he told me he wasn’t feeling well,” said Clement, who said he didn’t have any details on what kind of surgery Brown had or what the complications were.
Brown joined the board of Atlanta Life in 2002, and he became its CEO in 2004. He was CEO for the African-American institution for its 100th anniversary in 2005. And Clement said he had been doing a wonderful job running the insurance and financial services company.
“He had put together a strong management team.” Clement said. “This will be one of the best years that we’ve had in the last 20 to 25 years in terms of profit. He just did a superb job.”
Clement, president of Dobbs, Ram & Co., said he was going to serve as interim CEO of Atlanta Life while the company conducts a search. The Atlanta Life board will meet on Thursday. Atlanta Life will hold its annual meeting on May 21.
“We are all re-dedicating ourselves to making the company a living legacy for Ron Brown,” Clement said. “He had this term called: ‘a double bottom line.’ He believed Atlanta Life had to be fiscally responsible but also socially engaged to the community.”
Brown served in several civic roles including as a director of the Commerce Club, the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Before joining Atlanta Life, Brown had been running the software firm of Synavant, which he took public. Under his watch at Atlanta Life, the insurance company acquired Jackson Securities, the underwriting firm that had been founded by the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.
Clement said he was having a hard time with the loss. “We’ve had an emotional morning,” Clement said while his voice cracked. “Ron Brown was a very, very special person.”
Comments
By OldFriend
April 29, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Rest in peace Ron
By White
April 29, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
I will miss my Uncle Ron. He meant the world to me. My he rest in peace.
By brownthrasher
April 29, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Wow. What a shock. He was a very professional man and was always promoting the best of Atlanta Life. Kindest regards to his survivors.
By Sue Miller
April 29, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Ron Brown was a very professional and caring man. He was involved in so many activities in the community. I was fortunate to know him for his work with Women In Technology. On behalf of the board and the organization, we send our condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed in our community.
By Frank Domingos
April 29, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
I worked for Ron for ten years in the nineties. I considered him my boss, my friend, and my mentor. I learned so much fro him. His values, both business,social, and most important to him - His family. He was ‘color-blind’. Everyone was equal. He made a believer of me that you could have a successful company, that understood and cared about its employees, had integrity, and cared for its customers. I miss Ron. God bless Deborah, Jarred, and Jordon.
By Brand Atlanta staff
April 29, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Ron was an engaged and committed citizen of Atlanta who was involved in the quality of our community in so many ways. The people and staff of Brand Atlanta Inc., for which Ron served as Chair, along with his fellow board members, offer our sympathy and prayers to Ron’s family. He will be missed.
By Tony Swanson
April 30, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
I am simply devastated by the passing of Ronald Brown. I worked under Ron back in the early 80’s at Equifax. I always viewed Ron as the consumate business man and a great friend. We not only worked together but we also played basketball together. Ron was and will always be an inspiration to me. May he rest in peace.
By Saundra Bradley
April 30, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I worked with Ronald Brown for 11 years at Sales Technologies/SYNAVANT Inc. During that time he became the President/CEO of the company. Ron, who typified a true Morehouse Man graced us with the “Mystique” that a Morehoue Man exudes in his personal life and his business dealings. He was one of the most eloquent speakers, a man of integrity and a devoted father and husband. The people that worked at ST/SYNAVANT Inc. and the customers as well, loved Ron and respected his business acumen. I send my prayers and love to Deborah, Jarred and Jordon. Ronald Brown will always be remembered.
By American Diabetes Asscoation & The Father of the Year Council
April 30, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
The American Diabetes Association and the Father’s Day Council is deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ronald Brown. As a 2008 Father of the Year award recipient, Mr. Brown exemplified a healthy work-life balance and his dedication to help the ADA raise funds for its research, education and advocacy programs was greatly appreciated. We extend our sympathy to his family and friends.
By Pam Boyd
April 30, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
The National Museum of Patriotism sends our deepest sympathies.
By Emma Diaz
April 30, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I was saddened to hear that Ron had passed away. So young and so much left to live. I worked with Ron at Synavant and have many fond memories. The most vibrant memory I have is during my interview with him. I was interviewing for the investor relations position. Ron told me about his grandfather who had not had a formal education, but was so wise. He said “As my grandfather used to say to me —- you can’t pull something out of someone, that they don’t already have.” I went on to work at Synavant and it was quite a learning experience. Ron’s piece of wisdom has served me so well and it has stayed with me still —- 7+ years later. My condolences to his family. Emma
By Angela Relaford
April 30, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
My condolences to the Brown family on the loss of their loved one, Ron Brown. I did not know him personally, but did have the pleasure of meeting him,his wife and son, Jordan; who played recreational basketball with my son, Travious for over 10 years. Travious was very fond of Mr. Brown and always spoke kindly of him and how inspired him to achieve his dreams. My prayers are with the entire family during this sorrowful time.
By Steve Dungee & Family
May 1, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
When I received the news early Tuesday, it was a total shock. I will always remember Ron as a motivator and a visionary. WOW… what a great loss to the community. Our heart felt condolences go out to his wife, sons and the Atlanta Life family.
By Ron Steuben
May 1, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Nobody has really lost Ron Brown ,He has just moved over to another Group who need Him on the Other Side. If you need Ron Brown Just ask by speaking His Earth Name and You will feel his Attention to your need but remember HIS Vist with You maybe short because HE maintaining a schedule larger than Earth.
By Shawn McClary
May 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
It deeply saddens me that we have lost a great man. I was totally shocked when I heard the news of Ronald Brown passing. He was a man that inspired and motivated me in my business and has always been very supportive in his words, ways and wisdom. Since I moved from Atlanta over two years ago and everytime I revisit I always make it a point to see Ron, even though he had a very busy and hectic schedule. We lost a great man and may God rest his soul and dispatch his angels to watch over his family in this very difficult time. Farwell my brother for one day we will see each other again. God Bless.
By James Hester
May 7, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
I just found out about my long time friend’s passing yesterday. I am heart broken and devastated by Ron’s passing. My sympathy goes out to Deborah, Jarrod and Jordan. Ron and I were very close friends and he was like a big brother to me. I shalll forever miss him and hold him dear within my heart. A consumate professional in every since of the word. It was Ron who took me under his wing years agon and made me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. It was also Ron who inspired me to never let anyone else control your destiny. May you find peace in God’s home Ron, and know that you will be missed greatly.
By Hugh Brownstone
September 30, 2008 5:15 AM | Link to this
My heart goes out to Deborah, Jared and Jordan. Ron was a good man.