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Founder - Atlanta Life Insurance Company
One hundred years ago a former slave, Alonzo Franklin Herndon, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Financial Group. A sharecropper from Social Circle, Ga., he parlayed his haircutting skills into the finest men's barbershop in Atlanta, catering to the white businessmen who populated Peachtree Street until his shop was damaged during the 1905 Atlanta race riots, eventually closing its doors permanently in the 1960’s. An indomitable entrepreneur, Herndon was a real estate investor, a world traveler, an amateur architect, a pillar of Black Atlanta, and its wealthiest Black man. |
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The company that Herndon founded with a $140 investment was the outgrowth of one of the many benevolent societies catering to low and moderate-income consumers. |
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– at the early age of 28, inherited the presidency of Atlanta Life Insurance Company when his father died in 1927. Under Norris’ leadership, the company experienced its greatest period of
growth and prosperity. He continued the family’s tradition of philanthropy,
and in 1950 established the
Alonzo F. and Norris B. Herndon Foundation,
a charitable trust which operates the Herndon Home. |
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– Vice President and first female chairperson of the board. As a leader of the executive team
Mrs. Collins led the Atlanta Life team in an era when women did not hold such positions.
Mrs. Collins managed her team with faith and determination, producing excellent
financial results and a thriving happy workforce for Atlanta Life. |
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– Vice President of General Agency and Auditor.
Mr. Toomer was responsible for policing the system and as an avid leader assisted in the rapid growth and development of the company in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Many who joined the Company in the 1930’s and, 1940’s were tutored by Mr. Toomer and his legacy of safe
and sound financial business decisions was passed on. |
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– Vice-president and a great strategist. During the grave demise of the 1930’s especially among Black businesses, Mr. Martin thought out with the greatest care every step of advance that
Atlanta Life took. He felt that no Black firm was immune to failure, without careful
and safe management. Mr. Martin guided Norris and the firm to expand the
business into other states despite laws which were enacted to
curtail the growth of Black-owned companies. |
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– Vice President and General Auditor and chairman of the board. Mr. Simon joined Atlanta Life in 1934 and was extremely important to the Company’s growth and prosperity in the 1950’s.
Under his agency and auditing leadership, the company became more
aggressive in sales and entered into group insurance in 1958.
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– replaced Norris Herndon as Atlanta Life president.
Mr. Hill’s appointment and the formation of a new executive team signaled a change for the company. For the first time, a family member was not guiding the firm, and the company continued to demonstrate financial growth and social responsibility. The agenda for the new era
stressed efficient methods, attractive portfolios, new acquisitions, and new markets.
Atlanta Life also continued to provide leadership in improving the quality of life for African Americans. |
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Chairman, Board of Directors (2001 - Present)
Atlanta Life's Centennial celebration is a time to reflect on and recognize the many achievements and events of the past 100 years. As a member of the Atlanta Life Board for over thirteen years and the Chairman since 2001, I encourage you to attend the many planned Centennial events.
These events will give us an opportunity to officially commemorate Atlanta Life's history, commitment and business leadership that has shaped who we are in the world of business and in our community.
Mr. Clement serves on numerous board committees, including the Finance and Investment Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and Management Development and Compensation Committee. |
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President and Chief Executive Officer (2004 - Present)
– Ronald D. Brown is President and CEO of Atlanta Life Financial Group, Inc. Mr. Brown joined Atlanta Life in March of 2004 as the Company's sixth President and CEO after having served as a member of its Board of Directors for two years. A businessman with unparalleled leadership qualities, Mr. Brown has more than ten years of experience at the CEO level with The Variant Group, LLC; SYNAVANT; and IMSH Strategic Technologies.
He has managed international businesses with offices in thirty-two (32) countries and is considered a global leader in Customer Relationship Management and sales force technology. Mr. Brown has worked with Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and successor companies and made his mark in building strong executive teams and corporate infrastructure, increasing profitability and managing the process of taking a company public.
Mr. Brown is a Morehouse graduate and completed Columbia University's Financial Management Program. |
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