Ronald D. “Ron” Romain is an American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist from Evansville, Indiana. He is the Executive Chairman of United Companies, the Evansville-based organization that includes United Leasing & Finance, Professional Transportation Inc., Romain Automotive Group and United Companies Air Center.
Romain has also been a major supporter of education and community organizations in Evansville, most notably the University of Southern Indiana, whose Romain College of Business is named in honor of Ron and his wife, Connie.
Early Life and Harrison High School
Romain grew up on the East Side of Evansville, one of five children of Robert Sr. and Betty Romain.
He attended Harrison High School, graduating in 1969. Romain was a standout baseball player for the Warriors and pitched the first no-hitter in Harrison baseball history. He also helped lead Harrison to an undefeated season during his sophomore year.
His connection to Harrison continued decades after his graduation. In 2011, the school’s new multipurpose athletic facility was named Romain Stadium in recognition of the Romain family’s support of Harrison and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation.
University of Southern Indiana
Romain attended what is now the University of Southern Indiana, graduating in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
He was also one of the early players in the history of USI baseball, pitching for the Screaming Eagles during the 1972 and 1973 seasons — only the second and third seasons of the baseball program’s existence.
Romain remained closely connected to USI following graduation and eventually became one of the university’s most prominent alumni and supporters.
He has served on the USI Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors and as a life director of the USI Foundation.
In 2013, Ron and his wife Connie Romain, also a USI graduate, made a $5 million leadership gift to the university’s Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence.
In recognition of their longtime support and involvement, USI renamed its business school the Romain College of Business.
Romain also served as chairman of Campaign USI, which ultimately surpassed its $50 million fundraising goal.
Business Career
Romain built his career with the family business founded by his father, Robert Romain Sr., who established United Automobile Leasing in Evansville in 1964.
The company expanded considerably over the following decades, developing into United Companies, a diversified Evansville-based organization involved in financing, automotive sales, transportation and aviation.
Its businesses have included United Leasing & Finance, Romain Automotive Group, Professional Transportation Inc. and United Companies Air Center.
Romain spent many years as President and CEO of United Companies and today serves as its Executive Chairman.
Under the Romain family’s leadership, the business that began as a small Evansville automobile leasing operation expanded into an organization operating well beyond Southwestern Indiana.
Community Involvement
Romain has been involved with numerous Evansville-area civic, educational and charitable organizations.
His leadership roles have included involvement with the University of Southern Indiana, Signature School Foundation, Southwest Indiana Business Early Childhood Roundtable and the Evansville Regional Business Committee, among others.
In 2011, Romain was inducted into the Evansville Regional Business Hall of Fame in recognition of his business career and community leadership.
In 2014, the Great Lakes Valley Conference presented Romain with its Dr. Charles Bertram Alumni Award of Distinction, recognizing his accomplishments and service following his days as a USI student-athlete.
Legacy
Few Evansville business leaders have maintained connections to as many local institutions as Ron Romain.
From Harrison High School and USI baseball to building United Companies and supporting education throughout the region, Romain has remained closely associated with Evansville throughout his life and career.
His family’s impact can be seen physically throughout the community, most prominently at Romain Stadium at Harrison High School and the Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana.