BBB Minnesota & North Dakota: BBB community mourns passing of "Mr. Good Business"

Ron Graham, former long-time President of Better Business Bureau Serving Minnesota & North Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. He was 89 years old.

Ron worked in the Minnesota-based office of Better Business Bureau in various capacities from 1959 – 1998 and spent 19 years as President & CEO. He was a tireless advocate of the organization’s mission of setting standards for ethical practices and creating a community of trustworthy businesses. He was particularly passionate about truth in advertising and doggedly determined to call out businesses making false claims. Once dubbed “Mr. Good Business” by a local newspaper journalist, that moniker stuck throughout his career, although many simply referred to him as “Mr. BBB.”

Graham was renowned in numerous industries, including local auto dealers. He was known for helping customers mediate warranty service disputes free of charge, building consumer trust in car advertising, and supporting fair competition among dealers in the marketplace. He founded BBB Auto Line, which is one of the largest and longest-running dispute resolution programs in the United States.  

Upon his departure from BBB Serving Minnesota & North Dakota, Graham continued to assist other Better Business Bureaus across North America. He eagerly shared his expertise in ad reviews, ethics and governance and skillfully collaborated on several system-wide projects for another 11 years. After 50 years of service, he was inducted into the Council of Better Business Bureaus Hall of Fame in 2009. He continued in various business consulting roles for other companies until relatively recently.

Susan Adams Loyd, current President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Minnesota and North Dakota, said, “Ron Graham was considered a mentor, teacher, counselor, and friend to many businesses and colleagues throughout North America. He left a permanent impression on the organization in the way BBB programs continue to educate and support consumers and businesses. Although he will be sorely missed by many, his remarkable energy in forging BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust will be present forever.”

Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Lemmie, and son, Grant. He is survived by five living children, their spouses, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  

Read Ron’s obituary here: https://www.johnsonhagglund.com/obituaries/ronald-graham