Few can claim a legacy of giving and service like Ronald Frieson. As a businessman, philanthropist, and dedicated Volunteer, he is an embodiment of the character that UT seeks to develop.
Frieson has had a long career serving the Atlanta community. He is currently president for foundation and external affairs at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he oversees all fundraising activities. He earlier served as the organization’s chief public policy officer, responsible for state and federal government legislative matters as well as community affairs. Frieson has also served as interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, where he is credited with providing needed leadership during a difficult period in the organization’s history.
Most of Frieson’s professional career was spent in the telecommunications arena. He retired in 2007 as president of Georgia operations for BellSouth Corporation, where he was responsible for regulatory, legislative, public policy, and external affairs. He oversaw 18,000 employees responsible for more than three million residential and business access lines.
Frieson currently serves as a board member of SunTrust Bank Atlanta, Colorado Technical University, and Zoo Atlanta and is a past chair of the American Kidney Fund National Board of Trustees. His prior board memberships also include the Atlanta Police Foundation, Hands On Atlanta, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb County chapter of 100 Black Men of America, and American Intercontinental University. He was a member of the Leadership Atlanta class of 2002.
In 2015, Frieson and his twin brother, Don, gave $1 million to UT in support of the Black Cultural Center, which was renamed the Frieson Black Cultural Center in recognition. He also established an endowment that provides academic support to the Office of Multicultural Student life, and he and his brother have funded academic scholarships at UT Martin in the name of their younger sister, Lisa M. Frieson.
Frieson has given generously of his time as well, having served on the university’s Development Council, the President’s Council, and the UT Foundation Board, as well as the Haslam College of Business Advisory Council to the Dean.
Frieson has a bachelor’s degree in finance from UT and an MBA in information systems from Georgia State University.
Frieson has had a long career serving the Atlanta community. He is currently president for foundation and external affairs at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he oversees all fundraising activities. He earlier served as the organization’s chief public policy officer, responsible for state and federal government legislative matters as well as community affairs. Frieson has also served as interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, where he is credited with providing needed leadership during a difficult period in the organization’s history.
Most of Frieson’s professional career was spent in the telecommunications arena. He retired in 2007 as president of Georgia operations for BellSouth Corporation, where he was responsible for regulatory, legislative, public policy, and external affairs. He oversaw 18,000 employees responsible for more than three million residential and business access lines.
Frieson currently serves as a board member of SunTrust Bank Atlanta, Colorado Technical University, and Zoo Atlanta and is a past chair of the American Kidney Fund National Board of Trustees. His prior board memberships also include the Atlanta Police Foundation, Hands On Atlanta, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb County chapter of 100 Black Men of America, and American Intercontinental University. He was a member of the Leadership Atlanta class of 2002.
In 2015, Frieson and his twin brother, Don, gave $1 million to UT in support of the Black Cultural Center, which was renamed the Frieson Black Cultural Center in recognition. He also established an endowment that provides academic support to the Office of Multicultural Student life, and he and his brother have funded academic scholarships at UT Martin in the name of their younger sister, Lisa M. Frieson.
Frieson has given generously of his time as well, having served on the university’s Development Council, the President’s Council, and the UT Foundation Board, as well as the Haslam College of Business Advisory Council to the Dean.
Frieson has a bachelor’s degree in finance from UT and an MBA in information systems from Georgia State University.
Ronald E. Frieson
2013 Alumni Service Award Winner
2013 Alumni Service Award Winner
