On November 30, 2006, National Families in Action’s Treasurer and Board Member, George Vrana, was killed in a plane crash near the Charlotte, North Carolina, airport. Mr. Vrana was piloting the plane and was its only passenger. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Mr. Vrana joined the Board of Directors in 1981 and served as Treasurer of the Board from that time forward. He taught the staff how to account appropriately for the funds the organization raises through gifts, donations, and private and public grants. In addition, as chair of the Board’s Audit Committee, he oversaw the selection process for candidates to conduct the organization’s annual audit. The Board and Staff owe him much for his vigilant oversight of the management of all funds.
I came accross this memoriam for George while trying to find how to locate him. We were good friends, but relocations divorces etc. broke our contact. I learned much from George, he was brilliant Many didn't realize how true a person he really was.
Lewie, I knew George only slightly at GE, but what I remember of him was that he was serious-minded and earnestly straight forward in his relationships. It does not surprise me that he became engaged with a drug prevention group as that is certainly evidence of his character. His passing is a loss to our society and those who knew him well. Did he have family that survived him?
Here is George's obituary. It sounds like he was a wonderful person. Sad that he died so young. He & I met in Kindergarten at Lincoln School in Elmhurst & then again when he moved to Lombard in our Freshman year at Glendbard East. We dated until I moved to Minnesota in September 1960. Camilla Ray.Book
GEORGE R. VRANA George R. Vrana, age, 61, died Thursday, November 30, 2006 in a private plane crash. Born Chicago, Illinois, Son of Lillian Bartz and Charles Robert Vrana, both deceased. George loved and was very proud of his two sons and he was quick to brag on their accomplishments, success and their lives. His sons are Patrick Bartz Vrana, age 33 and Michael David Vrana, age 25. George is also survived by his brother Richard Drake. A partner in the National Professional Practice of Ernst & Young LLP since 2002, George was one of the lead partners responsible for application of accounting principles for the Southeast Region. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, George was a partner at Arthur Andersen & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia where he worked for 31 years. He had been the engagement partner for some of their largest clients including Georgia-Pacific, National Services Industries, Atlantic American, The Carter Center, King & Spalding and numerous real estate clients. George was always highly respected for his technical skills by all of his partners who frequently went to him for advice and he was well respected by the senior executives of his clients. During a back surgery that required emergency blood transfusions, the outpouring of donors from his colleagues at Arthur Andersen and other friends resulted in the American Red Cross having to park a van on the street next to the Georgia-Pacific Center because the number of donors was more than the local hospital could support. This outpouring of support for George had the effect of benefiting many others. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, he received both undergraduate degree (1967) and a Masters degree in accounting (1969). George taught accounting at Northern Illinois University from 1969 to 1971 when he joined Arthur Andersen. George was a member of the AAA/Financial Accounting Standards Committee. A professor on the committee commented "that George generously gave his time to the committee and his accounting expertise and practitioner perspective were eye opening for us academics". George was also a longtime treasurer of Atlanta-based National Families in Action, a youth drug and alcohol prevention program where he was much admired according to Sue Rusche, president and chief executive of that organization. He helped the organization run in a professional way and helped manage grant funds appropriately. George was an experienced instrument-rated pilot having flown for over 30 years. He was heavily involved with the Angel Flight of Georgia organization where he donated his time, airplane and money to help total strangers in need of medical care. He bought many supplies and flew many flights to provide aid to Katrina victims in Mississippi and Alabama. "We appreciate the tremendous commitment he showed by donating his time and airplane and money to help total strangers in need of Medical care" said Jeanine Chambers Biron, Angel Flight executive director. "It says a lot about his character." In lieu of flowers, please have donations to: Angel Flight of Georgia, (770) 452-7958, 2000 Airport Road, 227 Adminin. Bldg., Chamblee, GA 30341, www.angelflight-ga.org. "In Memory of George Vrana". National Families in Action, (404) 248-9676, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30329. The funeral mass for George R. Vrana, 61, of Atlanta, who died on Thursday, November 30th, will be held Friday, December 8th, 2:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial immediately following funeral mass at Arlington Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 7th 6:00pm-8:00pm at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel, 1020 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, Tel: 404-876-1022.
William T. Lewis
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Organization
National Families In Action
Suite 150
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
501 (c) (3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization
1977
Families in Action
National Drug Information Center of Families in Action
To help families and communities prevent drug use among children by promoting policies based on science.
Core
Values
On Children
On Parents and Families
On Communities
On Drug Use, Abuse, Addiction, and Drug-Related Deaths
On Prevention
On Education
On Treatment
On Research
On Law Enforcement
On International Drug Control
Mission
To discourage the use of illegal drugs by stopping the sale of materials that encourage their acceptance.
Original Board of Directors
In Memoriam
George Vrana
On November 30, 2006, National Families in Action’s Treasurer and Board Member, George Vrana, was killed in a plane crash near the Charlotte, North Carolina, airport. Mr. Vrana was piloting the plane and was its only passenger. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Mr. Vrana joined the Board of Directors in 1981 and served as Treasurer of the Board from that time forward. He taught the staff how to account appropriately for the funds the organization raises through gifts, donations, and private and public grants. In addition, as chair of the Board’s Audit Committee, he oversaw the selection process for candidates to conduct the organization’s annual audit. The Board and Staff owe him much for his vigilant oversight of the management of all funds.
He was a good friend and we will all miss him.
William T. Lewis
I came accross this memoriam for George while trying to find how to locate him. We were good friends, but relocations divorces etc. broke our contact. I learned much from George, he was brilliant Many didn't realize how true a person he really was.
William Gibson Heller
Lewie, I knew George only slightly at GE, but what I remember of him was that he was serious-minded and earnestly straight forward in his relationships. It does not surprise me that he became engaged with a drug prevention group as that is certainly evidence of his character. His passing is a loss to our society and those who knew him well. Did he have family that survived him?
Bill Heller
William T. Lewis
Bill, George's ex wife Gail Potter and two adult sons Patrick and Michael I think.
Camilla Ray (Farley)
GEORGE R. VRANA George R. Vrana, age, 61, died Thursday, November 30, 2006 in a private plane crash. Born Chicago, Illinois, Son of Lillian Bartz and Charles Robert Vrana, both deceased. George loved and was very proud of his two sons and he was quick to brag on their accomplishments, success and their lives. His sons are Patrick Bartz Vrana, age 33 and Michael David Vrana, age 25. George is also survived by his brother Richard Drake. A partner in the National Professional Practice of Ernst & Young LLP since 2002, George was one of the lead partners responsible for application of accounting principles for the Southeast Region. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, George was a partner at Arthur Andersen & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia where he worked for 31 years. He had been the engagement partner for some of their largest clients including Georgia-Pacific, National Services Industries, Atlantic American, The Carter Center, King & Spalding and numerous real estate clients. George was always highly respected for his technical skills by all of his partners who frequently went to him for advice and he was well respected by the senior executives of his clients. During a back surgery that required emergency blood transfusions, the outpouring of donors from his colleagues at Arthur Andersen and other friends resulted in the American Red Cross having to park a van on the street next to the Georgia-Pacific Center because the number of donors was more than the local hospital could support. This outpouring of support for George had the effect of benefiting many others. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, he received both undergraduate degree (1967) and a Masters degree in accounting (1969). George taught accounting at Northern Illinois University from 1969 to 1971 when he joined Arthur Andersen. George was a member of the AAA/Financial Accounting Standards Committee. A professor on the committee commented "that George generously gave his time to the committee and his accounting expertise and practitioner perspective were eye opening for us academics". George was also a longtime treasurer of Atlanta-based National Families in Action, a youth drug and alcohol prevention program where he was much admired according to Sue Rusche, president and chief executive of that organization. He helped the organization run in a professional way and helped manage grant funds appropriately. George was an experienced instrument-rated pilot having flown for over 30 years. He was heavily involved with the Angel Flight of Georgia organization where he donated his time, airplane and money to help total strangers in need of medical care. He bought many supplies and flew many flights to provide aid to Katrina victims in Mississippi and Alabama. "We appreciate the tremendous commitment he showed by donating his time and airplane and money to help total strangers in need of Medical care" said Jeanine Chambers Biron, Angel Flight executive director. "It says a lot about his character." In lieu of flowers, please have donations to: Angel Flight of Georgia, (770) 452-7958, 2000 Airport Road, 227 Adminin. Bldg., Chamblee, GA 30341, www.angelflight-ga.org. "In Memory of George Vrana". National Families in Action, (404) 248-9676, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30329. The funeral mass for George R. Vrana, 61, of Atlanta, who died on Thursday, November 30th, will be held Friday, December 8th, 2:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial immediately following funeral mass at Arlington Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 7th 6:00pm-8:00pm at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel, 1020 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, Tel: 404-876-1022.