2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
Together with his identical twin, Ron Frieson made history at UT. A very successful businessman, he wanted students from diverse backgrounds to have ample opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. The Frieson brothers donated $1 million to the Black Cultural Center—now the Frieson Black Cultural Center—the largest single gift at the time by African American alumni of the university.
Raised in Memphis with the influence of Charlie Lemmons, his grandfather who was a second-generation freed slave, Frieson learned the importance of working hard and giving back to his community. His family taught him the value of gaining a quality education. Frieson graduated from UT with a finance degree and then earned a master’s degree in information systems from Georgia State University. He is now the Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Frieson joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2008 and has served in his current role of COO since 2020. Previously, he was the Children’s Foundation President for External Affairs and led philanthropic efforts. Prior to 2008, Frieson was interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, an organization dedicated to the economic success of African Americans. Before the Urban League, Frieson was Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for BellSouth, where he was the President of Georgia operations and responsible for public policy and external affairs.
Currently, Frieson also serves on an advisory board for Truist Bank Atlanta and boards for Colorado Technical University and the UT Foundation.
Together with his identical twin, Ron Frieson made history at UT. A very successful businessman, he wanted students from diverse backgrounds to have ample opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. The Frieson brothers donated $1 million to the Black Cultural Center—now the Frieson Black Cultural Center—the largest single gift at the time by African American alumni of the university.
Raised in Memphis with the influence of Charlie Lemmons, his grandfather who was a second-generation freed slave, Frieson learned the importance of working hard and giving back to his community. His family taught him the value of gaining a quality education. Frieson graduated from UT with a finance degree and then earned a master’s degree in information systems from Georgia State University. He is now the Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Frieson joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2008 and has served in his current role of COO since 2020. Previously, he was the Children’s Foundation President for External Affairs and led philanthropic efforts. Prior to 2008, Frieson was interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, an organization dedicated to the economic success of African Americans. Before the Urban League, Frieson was Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for BellSouth, where he was the President of Georgia operations and responsible for public policy and external affairs.
Currently, Frieson also serves on an advisory board for Truist Bank Atlanta and boards for Colorado Technical University and the UT Foundation.
