FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009
by Illinois Real Estate Journal ReportsIllinois Jim Ryan,
Ryan Companies US, Inc.'s chief executive officer, died on May 28 following a 10-month battle with melanoma. Ryan, 66 years old, aided in transforming Ryan Companies into one of the nation's leading real estate design-build development firms.
The Midwest Region of Ryan Companies is headquartered in Naperville, Ill.
Born and raised in Hibbing, Minn., Jim started work in the family business in the eighth grade, and continued working through school and during college breaks. He joined the company full time as a project manager after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1965. Jim started as a construction project manager under the tutelage of his uncle, Ed Ryan, and was one of three employees and two cardboard boxes that comprised the Minneapolis office. His first project was the remodel of a National Tea store into a Target in Bloomington, Minn. It was Target's fourth store.
"Jim's goal was not to build the biggest buildings or be the largest company. His goal was to build character in his employees, build confidence in our customers and to build better communities," Pat Ryan, Jim's cousin and business partner, said. "This world would be a better place if there were more CEOs with Jim Ryan's values."
Ryan became CEO of the company in 1989, expanding the business in size and stature. The company now operates offices in Hibbing and Minneapolis, Minn., Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, Calif., Tampa,Fla., and three Iowa cities, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport.
Jim Ryan's philanthropic causes went well beyond company projects. He recently served as chairman of the board for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, where he helped lead a drive to secure $300 million to modernize the hospitals.
Ryan also chaired the Minnesota Nonprofits Assistance Fund and served on the boards of The Minneapolis Foundation and Amicus, an organization that helps inmates and ex-offenders rebuild their lives. Ryan also worked for the United Way and served on Notre Dame's School of Architecture's advisory council.
Jim's giving spirit will live on through the Ryan Foundation. Established by his uncle Fran, this fund contributes 5 percent of company profits to community projects nationwide, and matches employee contributions up to $400 to causes of their choice. His enduring example has also directly impacted his employees ... 100 percent of Ryan's employees participate in volunteer activities.
Ryan is survived by Colleen, his wife of 37 years, Molly (Mike) Carson, Maggie (Craig) Allen, Kate (Zach) Hegman, Tim, Nell, Dan, Sean and Tess; and six grandchildren. He also is survived by his uncle Fran Ryan - who led the company with Jim's late father - Russell, his aunt Jean Rothstein and sisters Patricia, Jill and Bridget (Scott) Strudwick.
More Articles
