FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[ATHENS, GA -  September 2023] It is with great sadness that Myrna Associates announces the passing of John Myrna, Co-Founder and CEO of Myrna Associates. John William Myrna, born April 22, 1945, in Romulus, New York, died at his home in Athens, Georgia, on September 9, 2023, after a prolonged battle with metastatic bone and prostate cancer.

 John was an intelligent, inquisitive child. While he was in school and working at the Grand Union Supermarket in Wyckoff, New Jersey, John took accordion lessons, eventually performing a leveraged buyout of his instructor and taking over the business. He was quite successful in this endeavor until The Beatles made accordions seem uncool but this acquisition inspired his entrepreneurial spirit and helped pay for his higher education.

 John graduated from Newark College of Engineering in 1967 with a Bachelor’s degree, and then with a Master’s from Montana State University in 1969, both in Electrical Engineering.

While working towards his PhD, the Army called and John stepped up. He went to Fort Jackson in South Carolina for boot camp, destined to be shipped off to combat in Vietnam, when a surprise order came through. John’s previous work as an intern at the NSA in 1962, as well as his experience with computers at a time when that was unusual, saw him shuttled off to Arlington Hall in the Army ASA, defending our nation’s top secrets.

 While still in the Army, John started working part-time for Scientific Time Sharing Corporation (later STSC). After his discharge, he switched to working full-time, which is when he met his future wife, Mary. After their first date, on the auspicious occasion of February 29, a whirlwind 3-month romance followed. This culminated in a wedding at the Rockville courthouse in Montgomery County, MD on June 9, 1972.

STSC was good to John, but his true interests lay elsewhere. In the late 80’s he left to run a small company and then went on to another, essentially working as a turnaround artist. John’s specialty was taking companies with two weeks of salary left on the books and making them succeed beyond their wildest dreams.

But John had his own wild dream. He wanted to take his experience, skills, and knowledge and hone them into a new process he called the Myrna Strategic Planning Process (MSPP). MSPP would provide guidance for small to medium-sized companies so that they could grow and achieve their goals. After years of talking about it, Mary reached her limit. She told him to put up or shut up. So on July 4th, 1991, Myrna Associates, Inc. was born.

As leader and co-founder of Myrna Associates, John’s vision and passion for strategy and planning saved countless businesses from collapse and helped build success for the companies, the stakeholders, and most importantly, the employees, allowing them to continue generating value in a workplace they could believe in. Today, there have been over 1,000 planning sessions and more than 200 clients, totaling millions of dollars in value that would otherwise have been lost. 

In 2019, John’s beloved wife of 49 years, Mary (8/23/47- 6/22/21) was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. John cared tirelessly for her until her death. Between caregiving and COVID, John let his follow-up appointments lapse, and a week after Mary died, John received his own devastating prognosis.

Despite his sorrow over losing Mary and his own grim diagnosis, John was not willing to simply give in. He worked indefatigably to continue building the business, gaining more insight and wisdom through multiple CEO and Vistage colleagues, where he also stepped in to provide guidance and mentorship. He spent his remaining time refining the planning process even further and publishing new and updated books so that his teachings could live on without him. Supported by his children and live-in care from his daughter-in-law Jennifer during the last months of his life, John was able to remain active in the business nearly until the end.

A fantastic husband, father, friend, and leader, John was dedicated to his family. John is survived by his children, Adam and Jennifer Myrna, and Kathern Myrna, a professor of veterinary ophthalmology at UGA, two devastated but wonderful grandsons, Connor and Peter, and his heartbroken dog, Jester. He also leaves behind cousins, nieces, nephews, and the large family he gained through Mary.

 Myrna Associates is continuing John’s dream with his son Adam, a process engineer who collaborated with John on many of his books, taking the helm. Adam brings with him his perspectives as an employee, a manager, a small business owner, and an entrepreneur. With support from Marketing Manager Jennifer Baarson, Myrna Associates facilitators Maria Birkhead and Omari Kamal will continue to guide businesses with the strategic planning process that John spent over 30 years perfecting.

In lieu of flowers, it would please John’s family if you would place a bird feeder, preferably in a dogwood tree, Mary’s favorite. John and Mary loved to watch the birds visiting their garden oasis, and John later loved to watch them in the trees planted in Mary’s memory. Think of them both fondly whenever you hear birdsong or see the birds and blooms every spring.

Contacts: 

 Adam Myrna, President

jamyrna@myrna.com

 Jennifer Baarson, Marketing Manager

jbaarson@myrna.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide" Book Launch Unveils Strategies for Business Success in a Rapidly Evolving World

[Athens, June 2023] – Today marks the highly anticipated launch of "Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide," a groundbreaking book that provides invaluable insights into the principles and strategies required for sustainable business growth in the ever-changing landscape of the modern world. Written by renowned business strategist and visionary, John W. Myrna, this book offers a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the complex chemistry of success and unlock untapped potential.

In an era defined by unprecedented technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal transformations, business leaders face daunting challenges and opportunities. "Chemistry of Growth" delivers an innovative approach to catalyzing growth by harnessing the power of chemistry as a metaphor for driving business success. By exploring the fundamental elements of growth – Vision, Strategy, Culture, Innovation, and Execution – this book presents a unique framework for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and executives to thrive amidst disruption.

Author John W. Myrna, an industry luminary, and respected thought leader, brings together decades of experience and research to equip readers with actionable strategies to propel their organizations forward. With a deep understanding of the complex dynamics at play in today's business environment, John W. Myrna offers practical guidance on establishing a compelling vision, devising effective growth strategies, fostering a high-performance culture, nurturing innovation, and executing with precision.

"Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide" provides real-world case studies, illuminating anecdotes, and thought-provoking exercises that challenge conventional wisdom and inspire readers to think differently. By combining scientific principles with business acumen, John Myrna empowers CEOs to embrace change, drive transformation, and create sustainable growth that resonates with all stakeholders.

Key Topics Explored in "Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide":

1. The role of visionary leadership in shaping organizational success.
2. Developing growth strategies that adapt to dynamic market conditions.
3. Creating a culture of innovation that fuels continuous improvement.
4. Nurturing and leveraging talent for sustained competitive advantage.
5. Mastering the art of execution to achieve tangible results.
6. Embracing diversity and inclusivity to foster creativity and innovation.

As the business landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, "Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide" is an indispensable resource for leaders seeking to thrive in this transformative era. Whether you are a seasoned CEO, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a high-level executive, this book will serve as your trusted companion, providing practical tools and insights to drive your organization's growth trajectory.

"Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide" is now available in both print, e-book and audio formats through Amazon. https://amz.run/6oZ1 To learn more about the book and the author, please visit myrna.com/books.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Baarson

Marketing Manager

Myrna Associates, Inc

jbaarson@myrna.com