Alfred Joseph Barran, 1941
A.B., Denison University
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Citation awarded on Saturday, June 11, 1966
An exemplary practitioner of American free enterprise, Alfred Barran’s record as a public utilities executive displays outstanding service to his industry and his community.
Now president of General Telephone Company of Indiana, Mr. Barran started in the business by selling advertising for the Yellow Pages and in 12 years became president of North West General Telephone in Spokane, Wash. He has been recognized by the Association of Washington Industries as “Mr. Private Enterprise” for his exceptional service to American business. Singled out by the press to run for governor of Washington, an honor which he declined, he was elected to Sports Illustrated‘s 1965 Silver Anniversary All-America Award. He has served the communities in which he has lived in a variety of ways, recently as a member of the Governor’s Committee of Indiana to secure the atom smasher for the state, the public affairs committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and in various service clubs, civic, and church groups. He also has devoted much time to educating youth and the general public to the values of the private enterprise system through a busy schedule of lectures, speeches, and discussions.
