JP's Holderness deserves credit, too
It bothers a lot of your readers when articles appear in the News & Record about Jefferson Pilot Financial leadership, with names of Julian Price, Joe Bryan and Roger Soles but with no mention of Howard Holderness.
"Chick" Holderness worked in the Actuarial Department of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co. for seven years, then in 1931 was named head of the Mortgage Loan Department. In 1932, he became vice president and treasurer and was elected to the board of directors.
Holderness was president and CEO of Jefferson Standard for 17 years, from 1950 to 1967. During his time as president, the company tripled in size.
The total insurance in force moved from less than $1 billion to a total of more than $3 billion. Holderness was recognized nationally by his election as chairman of the Institute of Life Insurance.
He was a "people person" who had a special interest in employees; sales managers and agents; and their families.
He worked closely with the leadership of Pilot Life and did much for his company and for this community.
Seth C. Macon
Greensboro
The writer worked with Jefferson Standard Life for 44 years.
Comments (5)
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1950 to 1967.
I bet that was the golden age here in Greensboro.
In 1950 Summit Ave and Market Street were the Gateways to Greensboro. Everything north of Cone blvd. was probably farms and woods.
Sad to see all of the things that built Greensboro being sold off or changed.
Posted on April 5, 2006 9:11 AM
I LOVE this comment, "He was a "people person" who had a special interest in employees; sales managers and agents; and their families." This is beautiful when compared to today.
Today, a man in his position could care less about the employee, much less the employee's family! The only people that matter are the shareholder's and how much money can be made for them. The only time that people in Holderness' position today care about the employee is to make sure that said employee had done the work so the shareholder has made the money. They could care less about the little money the employee makes.
hugh, you are correct those were the "golden days" of Greensboro. Today, the little people do not matter!
Shalom
Posted on April 5, 2006 12:42 PM
Mr. Holderness was a gentleman. His family still provides a lot of leadership, and a touch of class, in this town.
Those were good days in Greensboro...except for not insignificant facts like legally-enforced racial segregation...Golden ages rarely withstand much scrutiny.
But that was certainly a healthier time for our economy, and a lot of beautiful land has been paved over since then.
Change is inevitable. It's how we deal with it that matters. I can't say Greensboro has done that well in a lot of ways.
Posted on April 5, 2006 1:27 PM
Ed, when one looks at Greensboro without the segregation, et. al, it was Golden. As noted, "....Golden ages rarely withstand much scrutiny." I believe the LTE writer was just remembering the era with his glasses, like many of us tend to do, sadly.
Shalom
Posted on April 5, 2006 3:21 PM
For those who do not recognize the name, Seth Macon was also a big player within JP. He is an elderly fellow, but still quite the gentleman. He has written a book about his life that is quite interesting. Seth remembers all, both good and bad. He has put a great deal back into the community.
Posted on April 5, 2006 9:25 PM