AFSA salutes one of its most distinguished leaders who passed away in August of this year. Mr. Browne served as Chairman of the Board of AFSA in 1982, the year that the association changed its name from the National Consumer Finance Association to the American Financial Services Association. Passionate about education, he was instrumental in the development of the AFSA Management Development Program at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Since that time, more than 500 students have attended the AFSA School and have been promoted to top leadership positions within their companies.

Mr. Browne was a 1954 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, earning a B.S. in finance. He joined the United States Army in 1954 and attained the rank of Sergeant during the Korean War. But he quickly followed that up by earning his law degree and an MBA when he returned to New York City.

Over the years, Mr. Browne served in a variety of positions in the financial services industry. Before moving to Allentown in 1962 to serve as tax manager for General Acceptance Corporation, he started his professional career as a law clerk for Macklin & Speer and a certified public accountant for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell in New York City. He was promoted to the position of executive vice president and COO of GAC Finance, Inc. in 1966, while serving as president and director for Modern Air Transport Corp. in Miami. He became president and CEO of Finance America, Inc. in 1974, a position he held until he was appointed executive vice president and CEO of Beneficial Management Corporation in 1985. Mr. Browne took the position of president and CEO of Chrysler First, Inc. in 1986. A position he held until 2000 when he started his own financial services firm—Browne & Associates.

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bernice, seven children and grandchildren and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established in his name at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. To make a donation to this fund, please forward checks to the University of Notre Dame, attention Carol Hennion, James Browne Scholarship Fund, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.