For many years, Johnny Furr Jr. made sure that groups like the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club – which mentored him as a child – remained vibrant mainstays of the St. Louis community.
On Nov. 15, Furr announced his retirement after 31 years with Anheuser- Busch, lastly serving as vice president of community affairs and consumer outreach – a critical position for community agencies seeking guidance and corporate support.
“The entire St. Louis region has benefited from Johnny’s leadership, generosity and wise counsel,” said Flint Fowler, president of Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, Inc.
Furr helped countless not-for-profit agencies raise revenue, craft their policies and procedures, and establish connections to make the groups more effective, Fowler said
For Herbert Hoover, among other contributions, Furr helped secure the support of Anheuser-Busch to build a baseball field at the club.
“When Johnny calls, people answer because they know he gets things done,” Fowler said.
Under Furr’s direction, Anheuser-Busch invested more than $380 million in community-based programs over the past decade. Hundreds of students receive college scholarships each year through Anheuser-Busch’s support of organizations such as Teach For America, United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the Tom Joyner Foundation.
Furr helped raise the money needed to build the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis’ headquarters. For two years he and his wife Minga led fundraising efforts for the Charmaine Chapman Society, the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ African-American Leadership Giving Initiative.
Giving back
As a child, Furr grew up listening attentively to his coaches at Mathews-Dickey mentoring program. Mathews-Dickey helped Furr develop the athletic and academic skills that landed him a basketball scholarship from Saint Louis University. In his position with A-B, Furr paid back by nurturing such programs, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
“In every way, every time and on every project, Johnny Furr was always there – not only just for Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Becky James Hatter, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
“He was there every time, in every way and on every occasion for every organization I can think about. He has made a difference that probably can’t be memorialized in a proper way.”
His passion is to impact young people through education and self-awareness is central to what Furr believes, said Reverend Michael Jones of Friendly Temple, Furr’s church.
“What impressed me most about Johnny is that he has never forgotten his humble beginnings which signifies his determination to continue to make a difference in his next season of service,” Rev. Jones said. “It is moments such this that makes us proud of another servant of St. Louis and Sumner High School alumni.”
His support of The St. Louis American and St. Louis American Foundation and its Salute to Excellence programs has been invaluable.
“The American has enjoyed a longtime collaboration with Johnny, and we look forward to working with him as he moves onto another stage of his career in business,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American and president of the St. Louis American Foundation.
Furr has launched a public affairs consulting firm, Furr Strategy Group LLC, and he plans to start a foundation with his wife.
Because of its longtime support from the Anheuser-Busch, Harris-Stowe State University called on Furr in 2005 to re-name its business school as the Busch School of Business.
“In the field of higher education, he is remarkably active and inspirational,” Givens said. “The significant contribution he has made to create scholarships for hundreds of underserved, deserving students is unmatched.”
Givens said he is proud that Furr holds an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Harris-Stowe University.
“He is a true gentleman, and it simply goes without saying that Johnny is recognized as one of St. Louis’ top community and civic leaders,” Givens said.
An asset to his hometown
In his work reaching out to the community, Furr consistently made a good impression on people, said John Jacob, who retired in 2006 as the executive vice president and chief communications officer of Anheuser Busch.
“Not only was he knowledgeable about the company and the products, Johnny had some great communications skills,” Jacob said. “His ability to mobilize the company’s network became invaluable.”
Furr is a former Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. corporate officer and Anheuser-Busch Inc. board member, and has held a variety of senior positions with the company during his 31-year tenure. He also served as chairman of the Executive Diversity Council for Anheuser- Busch Cos., Inc.
A native of the Ville neighborhood in North St. Louis, he is intimately connected to a number of St. Louis businesses and cultural institutions. His current local board service includes directorships with the Urban League, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Minority Business Council. Past directorships include the Herbert Hoover Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the United Way.
Furr will continue to serve on national boards, such as the NAACP and the National Cares Mentoring Movement, which Susan L. Taylor launched with Furr’s help and A-B as its founding corporate sponsor.
“The community came to expect a great deal from Johnny as they expect a great deal from the brewery,” Fowler said.
“He is a giver and accepts the mantle of responsibility with tireless energy and enthusiasm. The next person must do the same and more – Johnny set the standard.”
As his friends and supporters look to InBev and A-B to see how the company will fill such a critical vacancy, they also look forward to what is ahead for this native son.
“Johnny had a long, proud career in the corporate world, yet was always firmly based in the African-American community and shared its concerns,” Suggs said.
“Johnny is still in mid-career and is looking forward to fulfilling his aspirations as an entrepreneur. We expect great things from him.”
