Peter Schorsch
Florida lost a Renaissance man last week with the passing of Cyrus “Russ” Jollivette. It’s not just anyone whose death merits a testimonial from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jollivette lived one of those extraordinary lives that was hard to categorize. Corporate executive. Journalist. University administrator. Lawyer. Civic leader. Consultant. Community volunteer. Benefactor.
In his 71 years, Jollivette may have been best known to Florida’s political crowd as an executive at Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, including as senior vice president based in Jacksonville and later in Washington. But that came only after a full career as executive assistant to University of Miami President Tad Foote during a period of tremendous growth for the private school. Before that, he spent six years as managing editor of The Miami Times, the outstanding black-oriented newspaper founded by his grandparents, and nearly a decade producing and as an on-air commentator for two Miami TV stations.
When Jollivette was getting started, corporate suites in Florida didn’t always offer abundant opportunity for men of color. Yet he ascended to the point where he became chairman of the philanthropic Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, now among the state’s largest corporate foundations at more than $250 million.
He joined the Blues only after his retirement didn’t “take” after 24 years at the University of Miami, where he was VP for government relations in addition to his direct role as President Foote’s executive assistant. He oversaw the university’s public affairs, government relations and more.
Born in Miami’s Overtown section, Russ Jollivette was devoted to both his hometown and, later, his adopted home in Jacksonville. His list of civic activities was seemingly endless, but highlights included service in Miami as a trustee at St. Thomas University, a board member of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, and chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida.
Not content to rest on his laurels after taking the Florida Blue job in Jacksonville, he served as a trustee at Jacksonville University, was chairman of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, was on the Jacksonville Host Committee for the 2005 Super Bowl and served as chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida.
Oh, and he also found time to serve as a director of Enterprise Florida.
All this and more is why U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen bid a sad farewell to Jollivette on the floor of the House Monday night. Jollivette, she said, was “an important and revered leader in education, health and philanthropy — and someone Dexter and I proudly called our friend.”
Russ Jollivette earned a bachelor’s degree from C.W. Post College of Long Island University, an MBA from Long Island University, and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He is survived by a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
