Al Jerome Ransome

Al J. Ransome, a native of Morganza and a resident of Baton Rouge, he passed away on Friday, March 7, 2014 at his home. He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene Sansone Ransome; his daughter, Stephanie "Taffy" Matheny and her husband Barry; 3 sons: Justin Paul Ransome, Dustin Mark Ransome and his wife Alisa, and Al Jerome Ransome II; 2 brothers, Gene Ransome and Paul Ransome; and his sister, Joyce Pourciau. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: John W. St.Amant II, Christopher Matheny, Breeanna Ransome, Brooke Ransome, Blair Ransome, Christin Ransome, and Cullen Ransome; 2 great-grandchildren: J.W. St.Amant III and Jackson Matheny; his dear nieces and nephews: Cindy LaCombe and husband Donnie, Susan Joly and husband Chris, Mike Ransome, and Gregg Ransome; and by his 3 Shih Tzus: Jake, Ko Ko, and Macy Lu. He was preceded in death by his son, John Kyle Ransome; his parents, Paul Edmond Ransome and Louise Adams Ransome; and his brother, Therrell Ransome. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., from 9am until Mass at 10am. Al was the love of Darlene Ransome's life, his devoted wife of over 20 years. He was a loving father to 4 children and a wonderful grandfather to his seven grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was an honorable, compassionate man who gave of himself freely and helped numerous people seeking no recognition or accolades. Al was brilliant in all things he chose to endeavor in, both professionally and personally. He had a kind, loving heart and a generosity unparalleled by most. Al had a heart for those less fortunate than himself. He felt blessed in his life and always looked for ways to help others. Al had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a story to tell. He was beloved and will be very much missed by his entire staff at UCS. Al touched so many lives through his work and through his service to the people in the community. Al was the chief operations manager of UCS. Al was educated athttp://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/lsu/?personid=170119661&affiliateID=1382" id="InlineMicrositeLink_LSU" target="_blank" title="Visit LSU Memorial Site to see similar profiles">Louisiana State Universityin accounting, business administration and computer science. Al had a wealth of knowledge of the unemployment law acquired over 40 years in the industry. Al's knowledge was not merely confined to the expertise that results in immediate cost savings to clients, but he also worked closely at the legislature on issues affecting both private sector and governmental employers in different ways, including crucial legislation related to unemployment issues created by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From 1974 to early 2003, Al founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the overall administration and management of U.C.C.S. At U.C.C.S., Al was responsible for design, development and implementation of an ongoing computerized management control and reporting system. This system was the hub of U.C.C.S.' cost control program. In 1986 and 1987 Al served on both the Governor's Task Force and the L.A.B.I. Task Force formed to address the serious problem of the bankrupt unemployment trust fund. He developed the concept of bonding the $1 billion U.C. Trust Fund debt. He conducted the majority of the technical studies that both groups used as a basis to develop legislation and played a major role in the enactment of HB 1 of the 1987 Special Session, which was called by the Governor solely to enact Al's concept into law. This legislation not only retired the Trust Fund debt, but it also allowed the Trust Fund to grow to $1.5 billion, which in turn enabled the Trust Fund to pay the benefits incurred due to the recent hurricanes. In early 2003, Al founded UCS and assumed management of the operations of Temple Resource Management, Inc. Al wrote a computerized claims tracking system exclusively for UCS. Al represented UCS at legislative hearings and committee meetings on issues that affected Louisiana unemployment laws. Al previously served as Chairman of the Employment Security Advisory Council in the Louisiana Department of Employment and Training. His knowledge of the complete unemployment law has been invaluable to employers throughout Louisiana. Al was well respected by L.A.B.I., Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Louisiana Municipal Association and the various state legislators with whom he worked. His knowledge and innovation created a competitive industry in unemployment compensation cost control. Among his many accomplishments that gave Al much pride was legislation designed by him regarding unemployment payments related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Economist Dr. Tim Ryan considered this legislation to be the most significant economic development legislation of the decade following its enactment. Based on studies Ransome conducted, he was able to convince Governor Blanco and Senator Nevers that the UC trust fund was strong enough to absorb the $600 million and that an increase of $600 million in unemployment taxes would be detrimental to post Katrina economic recovery. The economic impact of this bill circulated $2.4 billion into the state's economy. Al was a brilliant entrepreneur and statistician. He saw patterns in numbers generally unseen by anyone else. Like the issues that Al saw with the unemployment compensation law, Al generally saw the big picture and the effect that different laws and trends would have on the governmental entities he represented so well, as well as the population at large. He will be greatly missed by everyone who met him.