Robert L. Gholson elected new president of Universal Life Insurance Co. in Memphis

Jet, May 22, 1995

Robert L. Gholson, who began working with Universal Life Insurance Co. of Memphis while still in college, recently was elected its president.

After working his way up the corporate ladder, Gholson will succeed Gerald T. Howell, who was elected in 1990 and has been elevated to chairman of the board there.

Universal Life was founded in 1923 by Dr. J.E. Walker and grew to become one of the nation's foremost Black insurance firms. Before Howell's election, the firm had been run by descendants of the founder, A. Maceo Walker Sr. and Patricia Walker Shaw.

While a student at Tennessee State University, Gholson began his career at Universal Life. He earned a degree in business administration from TSU and an MBA degree from the University of Memphis. In addition, he has earned educational and management credits through the Life Office Management Association, the organization for certification and credibility in the life insurance profession.

Gholson has fine-tuned his professional and business knowledge as a mortgage consultant and realtor and has served on numerous civic boards as well, including Memphis Boys Club and Junior Achievement.