wfn.org | Pension board honors the late John English

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 28, 2001  News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{559}

NOTE: This report is a sidebar to UMNS story #558.

By United Methodist News Service

The late John English, a key figure on the United Methodist Board of Pension
and Health Benefits for many years, has been named the recipient of the
agency's Clay F. Lee Award.

English's wife, Ann English, received the award for her husband at a Nov. 16
dinner, held during the board's fall meeting in Denver.

The award presentation was a "wonderful tribute to John," she told United
Methodist News Service on Nov. 28. Her husband enjoyed his 13 years on the
board, she said. "He felt that it was a very worthwhile cause to be spending
his time on."

Presenting the award, Bishop William Morris of Nashville, Tenn., cited
English's energy and enthusiasm for the agency's work. Morris is chairman of
the board.

English, 68, died March 27, in Sarasota, Fla., from complications related to
an aortic aneurysm. Elected to the agency's investment committee in 1988, he
had been a member of the full board since 1992. He helped guide the board's
investment policies and the hiring of portfolio managers, and was
instrumental in making the board a major supporter of affordable housing.

He was a former vice president and chief investment officer of the Ford
Foundation, and a former director of investment management for AT&T. He
served as a trustee, adviser or member of the board of directors of several
investment firms, foundations and universities. He was a trustee of United
Methodist-related Drew University in Madison, N.J., and a member of the
United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. He and his wife had
homes in Sarasota and Summit, N.J.

The Clay F. Lee Award is presented annually to former board members for
contributions to the agency. It was named in honor of the bishop who led the
board through a time of major change.
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United Methodist News Service
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