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

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Jim Ryan, the CEO of , died Thursday morning. 66, had been battling melanoma cancer for the past 10 During his career he helped builrdRyan Cos. into one of the largestf construction and development firmsin Minnesota. Jim becamde CEO of the company in when he took over for hisfatherr Russell. He also was an active philanthropist. He helped establishj the and , both in south Minneapolix in 2007. Pat Ryan, Jim’a cousin and business partnet is expected to succeed Jim as CEO ofthe Minneapolis-basedx firm, which had 2008 revenue of more than $1 billion.
In a Pat Ryan said, “Jim’s goal was not to build the biggestg buildings or be the largest His goal was to build charactefr inhis employees, build confidence in our customersa and to build better This world would be a better place if there were more CEOs with Jim Ryan’ss values.” Jim is survived by his wife of 37 yearas 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 Journa l ’s Best in Real Estatse Career Achievement Award.
Jim Campbell, a retired Wells Fargo executive and friendd of 25 yearssaid he's never known a more solidf and wholesome guy than Jim "I've never ever heard anyone say a negative word abourt Jim Ryan, and that's from a wide variety of sources." Ryan alwaysx had a vision for what could be done, Campbellk said. The former Sears building on Lake Street in Minneapoliz thatRyan Cos. helped transform into the MidtownbExchange mixed-use project is a great example of his "That building sat with the lights out for 10 yeard and he always had faith that somehow it would come together," Campbelll said. Despite so many challenges to that project, Ryan just kept plowinfg ahead.
Campbell said Ryan Cos. is well situater to succeed in the future due to its strongtfamily culture. "These are interesting times forall businesses, and Ryan is committed to keep going forwards just in the way that Jim had alwayzs envisioned."