College mourns loss of alumnus, finance leader

The College lost one of its most prominent alumni Sunday with the passing of William A. “Mac” McGriff III, who lost his courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

He was 72 years old.

McGriff (BSBA ’69) was a longtime supporter of the University of Florida and the Warrington College of Business. One of his most enduring gifts to the College was the establishment of the W.A. McGriff III Endowed Professorship Fund, which supports the instructional and research efforts of one of the College’s top professors.

“Mac was a valued member of the Warrington community,” said Warrington Dean John Kraft, who holds the McGriff Professorship. “His generosity and passion for the College and UF will be sorely missed.”

McGriff, who earned UF’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993, fashioned an incredibly successful financial services career in Jacksonville. Among the positions he held were Executive Vice President of Charter Investment and Development Company, Executive Vice President and member of the board of directors of Florida National Bank in Jacksonville, President of Alliance Mortgage Company, President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Associated Industries of Florida. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of First Union National Bank of Florida.

McGriff also was as a volunteer board member and vice chair of University Medical Center Jacksonville. He was CEO of UF Health Jacksonville from 1996 to 1999, and also served as chair of the UF Board of Trustees. McGriff was instrumental in forming the relationship between University Medical Center and Shands HealthCare, helping build what is now UF Health Jacksonville. The Shands Boardroom at UF Health Jacksonville was renamed the W.A. “Mac” McGriff III Boardroom in his honor.

In addition to his role with the UF Board of Trustees, McGriff was Chairman of the UF Foundation’s Finance Committee, a member of the President’s Council, Chairman of the College of Business’ Advisory Committee for the Embrace Excellence Capital Campaign, and member of the Leadership Gifts Committee.

McGriff is survived by his wife of 50 years, Libby; children, William IV, David and Casey Ann; and eight grandchildren.