Joseph M Bryan Foundation Board Of Directors

How do you run an entire city? One way is through the use of bribes campaign contributions to individual politicians and local political interests. Another way is by becoming a major benifactor to area non profits, governments and a very important customer to local businesses. So important that their owners contribute to and vote for those persons you want to see elected. And so begins my report on the Joseph M Bryan Foundation-- Greensboro and Guilford County's biggest and most influential non profit organization with assets of over $20 Million.

Here's what I believe is happening.

Is this what is known as influence peddling? Not in the traditional sense but you can bet that decisions made by those in charge will reflect what Jim Melvin, Ed Kitchen and the Bryan Foundation might think of their decisions. What? You aren't in some way influenced or constrained by the people who sign your pay checks? Let's be honest: I have long been one of the least influenced and constrained men on Earth and even I worry about what the boss might think. For some of you it's your entire life.

Shirley T. Frye is apparently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bryan Foundation but everyone knows Jim Melvin, affectionately knows as, The Bobblehead, is the man in charge with Ed Kitchen set to fill in in Bobblehead's absence. Amazingly I was unable to find a website for the Bryan Foundation nor was I able to find a published list of board members dated since 1984.

While many like to cite Melvin's accomplishments in business and government, others point out:

"First Home Federal Savings & Loan - out of business in the S&L scandal; Jefferson Pilot - sold, to the detriment of most shareholders, but highly beneficial to the board of directors with their stock options; Newbridge Bank Park - built, yes with private money, but allowed the city to disregard the MEMORIAL to fallen soldiers called War Memorial Stadium; Yes Jim is such a stalwart to Greensboro. Can you say a little man with a big bank account who buys his access with Mr. Bryan's money, not his own. Me thinks he wants to be a big fish in a small pond with little to no personal investment of his own millions."

Hey, I'm just the messenger!

So I decided to put the search engines to work beginning with NC Secretary of State. Wow, who knew they were 2? Turns out one of the foundations only supports Greensboro's Bryan Park. Anyway, they list their registered agent as Joseph M Bryan and their board as E S Melvin (Jim) C H Darden, Carole W Fee and Michael W Haley as of 1984 when the foundation was founded.

I didn't find any political contributions by the foundation but Jim Melvin did contribute $4,000 to Rudolph W Giuliani in 2007. Was Rudi running for mayor of NYC, governor of New York or president in 2007? Sorry, I confuse things sometimes.

So it looks as if the Bryan Foundation, except for the fact that at least one member of the board is dead, has all their ducks lined up in the park. Or do they?

Continue to page 29. Michael W Haley Foundation Inc Board Of Directors Unknown.