Ivan J. Houston was born in 1925 in California and attended the University of California at Berkeley. In 1970 Houston took over leadership of the company from his father; co-founder Norman O. Houston along with his brother Norman B. Houston. Houston was able to cut costs at Golden State, allowing the company to expand even when the demand for black-owned companies was in decline due to steps made in society towards integration. Houston incorporated group insurance into the company’s portfolio, getting business from such giant corporations as Ford Motor Company, AT&T, and General Motors. Under the leadership of Houston Golden State Insurance became the third largest black-owned financial services company in the United States.
Related links:
• Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company
• William Nickerson, Jr.
• George A. Beavers
• Norman O. Houston
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