AIA Corporation's David Woods Remembered by Friends, Colleagues

AIA Corporation, Neenah, Wisc., yesterday announced the passing of former CEO David Woods.

The statement released yesterday by Matt Gresge, current CEO, reads:

At AIA, we have heavy hearts as we learn about the loss of our colleague and friend, David Woods, who served as CEO of AIA from 2003-2016. David was one in a million and made an impact on all those who knew him. We were lucky to have him pave the way for AIA in this industry as our longtime leader. He was a true entrepreneur who took a chance on a company called Adventures in Advertising, which thanks to his vision would become the strong, thriving corporation that AIA is today.

David was a beacon of our industry and helped shape who we are as a company and as individuals. He made an incredible impact on AIA employees and all of the owners and suppliers we serve. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to live on through the strong community he built and entrepreneurial spirit he instilled in each of us. Our hearts and thoughts go out to David’s family.

Stacey McConnell, MAS, current vice president of Member Services for AIM Smarter LLC, and former colleague of Woods, remembered him fondly:

David was a great person through and through. I don’t know a single person who didn’t appreciate everything he had to offer. While working with him for nearly 15 years at AIA, he was a tremendous leader. He built an amazing culture where we weren’t just coworkers, we truly were a family! He encouraged fun in the workplace—even challenged me to cartwheels in the center of the office, which we called “the soccer field.” He joined in on sitting in the dunk tank for one of our company events and egged people on who would take their chance at throwing the ball at the target. And yes, he did get dunked once or twice.

So many memories to count, but there is one special memory I do have with David. When my dog, Bauer, was diagnosed with cancer, David was so very kind. You see, on occasion I would bring Bauer in to the office in the mornings before his vet appointments to receive chemo, and David would pop over to see how he was doing. Never did David deny me of bringing Bauer in the office or encourage me to use PTO. Instead he would come and pay a visit. He was so very understanding and compassionate in those difficult situations. "Family first" is what he always said. Family. First. David was family to many, and he will certainly be missed.

For more information on AIA Corporation, visit www.aiacommunity.com.