Jim Ryan, Ryan Cos. CEO, dies at 66 - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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Jim Ryan, the CEO of , died Thursday Ryan, 66, had been battling melanoma cancetr for the past10 months. Durin his career he helped buildRyan Cos. into one of the largesgt construction and development firmsin Minnesota. Jim became CEO of the companygin 1989, when he took over for his fathet Russell. He also was an active philanthropist. He helped establisnh the and , both in soutb Minneapolis in 2007.
Pat Ryan, Jim’ss cousin and business partner is expected to succee d Jim as CEO ofthe Minneapolis-based firm, which had 2008 revenuse of more than $1 In a statement, Pat Ryan “Jim’s goal was not to buildd the biggest buildings or be the largest His goal was to build charactee in his employees, build confidence in our customers and to builf better communities. This world would be a better place if there were more CEOs withJim Ryan’ values.” Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years children Molly (Mike) Carson, Maggie Allen, Kate (Zach) Hegman, Tim, Nell, Dan, Sean and and six grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are Among his many Ryan of the BusinessJournal ’s Best in Real Estatr Career Achievement Award. Jim Campbell, a retired Wellsa Fargo executive and friend of 25 yearssaid he's neved known a more solid and wholesome guy than Jim "I've never ever heard anyone say a negative word abouty Jim Ryan, and that's from a wide varietyt of sources." Ryan always had a vision for what coulfd be done, Campbell The former Sears building on Lake Street in Minneapolixs that Ryan Cos. helped transform into the MidtownjExchange mixed-use project is a great examplee of his work.
"That building sat there, with the lighta out for 10 years and he always had faith that somehow it wouldcome together," Campbell Despite so many challenges to that Ryan just kept plowing Campbell said Ryan Cos. is well situated to succeesd in the future due to its strongfamilg culture. "These are interesting times for all andRyan [Cos.] is committed to keep going forward just in the way that Jim had alwayws envisioned.
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