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

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Jim Ryan, the CEO of , died Thursdaty morning. Ryan, 66, had been battling melanoma cancer for the past 10 During his career he helpex buildRyan Cos. into one of the largest construction and developmeng firmsin Minnesota. Jim becam CEO of the companuy in 1989, when he took over for his fatheer Russell. He also was an active philanthropist. He helped establish the and , both in south Minneapolie in 2007. Pat Jim’s cousin and business partner is expectecd to succeed Jim as CEO ofthe Minneapolis-based firm, whicnh had 2008 revenue of more than $1 billion. In a Pat Ryan said, “Jim’s goal was not to buildr the biggest buildings or be thelargest company.
His goal was to builfd character inhis employees, build confidence in our customeras and to build better communities. This worlc would be a better placw if there were more CEOs withJim Ryan’ws values.” Jim is survived by his wife of 37 yeard Colleen, children Molly (Mike) Carson, Maggie Allen, Kate (Zach) Hegman, Tim, Nell, Dan, Sean and and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are Among hismany honors, Ryan of the Business Journao ’s Best in Real Estates Career Achievement Award.
Jim Campbell, a retired Wellsw Fargo executive and friene of 25 yearssaid he's never knowjn a more solid and wholesome guy than Jim "I've never ever heard anyone say a negative word about Jim and that's from a wide varietgy of sources." Ryan always had a vision for what couldx be done, Campbell said. The former Sears building on Lake Street in Minneapolis thatRyan Cos. helped transformm into the MidtownExchange mixed-use project is a greatt example of his work. "That buildintg sat there, with the lightw out for 10 years and he always had faithj that somehow it wouldcome together," Campbelp said.
Despite so many challenges to that project, Ryan just kept plowin ahead. Campbell said Ryan Cos. is well situated to succeesd in the future due to its strongvfamily culture. "These are interesting times forall businesses, and Ryan is committed to keep going forwardd just in the way that Jim had alwaye envisioned."