Jim Ryan, Ryan Cos. CEO, dies at 66 - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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Jim Ryan, the CEO of , died Thursdat morning. Ryan, 66, had been battling melanoma cancerr for the past10 months. During his careet he helped buildRyan Cos. into one of the largesg construction and development firmsin Minnesota. Jim becames CEO of the companyin 1989, when he took over for his fatherr Russell. He also was an activ philanthropist. He helped establish the and , both in southg Minneapolis in 2007. Pat Ryan, Jim’s cousin and businesws partner is expected to succeed Jim as CEO ofthe Minneapolis-basee firm, which had 2008 revenue of more than $1 In a statement, Pat Ryan “Jim’s goal was not to buildd the biggest buildings or be the largesty company.
His goal was to build character in his build confidence in our customerx and to build better This world would be a bettere place if there were more CEOs withJim Ryan’s Jim is survived by his wife of 37 year Colleen, children Molly (Mike) Carson, Maggie (Craig) Allen, Kate Hegman, Tim, Nell, Dan, Sean and Tess; and six grandchildren. Funera arrangements are pending. Among his many Ryan of the BusineszJournal ’s Best in Real Estate Career Achievementt Award.
Jim Campbell, a retired Wells Fargo executive and friens of 25 yearssaid he's never known a more solifd and wholesome guy than Jim "I've never ever heard anyonw say a negative word abouty Jim Ryan, and that's from a wide variety of Ryan always had a vision for what coulrd be done, Campbell said. The formetr Sears building on Lake Street in Minneapolis thatRyan Cos. helpec transform into the MidtownExchange mixed-use project is a greatr example of his work. "Thar building sat there, with the lights out for 10 years and he alwayw had faith that somehow it woulddcome together," Campbell said. Despitse so many challenges tothat project, Ryan just kept plowinbg ahead.
Campbell said Ryan Cos. is well situated to succee d in the future due to its stronyfamily culture. "These are interesting time forall businesses, and Ryan [Cos.] is committedr to keep going forward just in the way that Jim had alway s envisioned."