Atlanta Life CEO, influential black executive Ron Brown passes

Ron Brown, the 55-year-old president and CEO of Atlanta Life Financial Group and Atlanta Business League board member, died Monday night at Emory University Hospital after complications following a surgery.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Ron Brown" said William A. Clement, chairman of Atlanta Life Financial Group. "The entire Atlanta Life Financial Group family mourns this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

Clement will serve as interim president and CEO.

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Brown joined Atlanta Life Financial Group in March 2004 as the company's sixth president and CEO after having served as a member of its board for two years. Atlanta Life Financial Group is a privately owned financial services company that runs Atlanta Life Insurance Co., Atlanta Life Investment Advisors and Jackson Securities.

Brown also worked for The Variant Group LLC, Synavant and IMSH Strategic Technologies.

He had board appointments with Atlanta Business League, Georgia Power Co. and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He also served several non-profit organizations, including as director of the Emory Hospital Visitors Committee and as a trustee of the African-American Experience Fund, a division of the National Park Service.

"He was an incredible individual, a CEO extraordinaire," said Leona Barr-Davenport, president and CEO of Atlanta Business League. "He made some incredible strides in the financial and investment industry. Atlanta was truly blessed to bring him in as a CEO. They had the foresight to see his capabilities and the company has never been the same."