A week ago today, Ameriquest founder and mortgage magnate Roland Arnall passed away from cancer at the age of 68. Arnall was a major contributor to GOP and conservative causes over the years, in additional to many philanthopic efforts that included co-founding the Simon Weisethal Center in West Los Angeles. I had an opportunity to meet and talk to Mr. Arnall a few times, and came away from those chats very impressed with the depth of his passion and love for this country.
My good friend Jeff Miller (not the Assembly candidate, but the policy advocate and Co-Chairman of fundraising efforts at the Republican Governors Association) worked closely with Mr. Arnall for many years, and had a close friendship with him. Jeff forwarded me an obituary of Arnall that ran this last Saturday in the Wall Street Journal, the link to which can be found below.
I asked Jeff if he would be willing to share some thoughts with FR readers on the passing of Roland Arnell. Jeff, who traditionally stays "behind the scenes" demonstrated how much this man had touched his life by taking me up on my offer. So here are some thoughts from Jeff Miller, on the passing of a friend…
To me Roland Arnall was more than a great man. He was a great friend and mentor.
I first met Roland in 1999. At the time I was a fundraiser and he was the largest "heavy hitter" I’d ever met. I’d done my research and knew his story. Needless to say, I was intimidated. Roland was awe-inspiring.
But over the years I came to know Roland in a number of different capacities. At first he was a role model – someone I wanted to emulate. Then he became my teacher . . . then my employer . . . and then my mentor.
But what I cherish most is that, in the end, he became my friend.
Roland occupied an incredible place in my life. Other than my parents, he helped shape my life more than anyone.
Looking back, this isn’t surprising. Roland challenged and pushed those around him to be better, and did so with a bullish respect and understanding. His drive, compassion and intensity were unparalleled.
Employee or peer, family or friend, we all got the nudge. Well, okay – it was usually a lot more than a nudge – more like a kick in the rear. And we are all better for it.
To a large extent these "nudges" were the foundation of our friendship.
Roland challenged me and inspired me. He had tremendously high expectations . . . Roland set the bar high and expected the best.
And because of his dynamic personality, you wanted to succeed. Roland was the type of person for whom you wanted to deliver. Because he didn’t throw out empty compliments, words of praise from Roland was truly the greatest reward.
In the end, Roland made me a better professional – and a better man.
When I think about Roland, there are two moments that stand out above all others.
The first is the day Hurricaine Katrina struck land. Roland called me, Adam Bass, Julie Brandt and Josh Perttula into his office. As always, I gripped myself for what he was going to light into me about – but it had nothing to do with business. He looked at us and said "we need to do something to help". By midnight that night, we were all on a plane with Eric Manes and some experts in transitional housing, headed to Louisianna. Just as if we were working on a business deal, he called daily to make sure we were doing as much as possible for the people of Louisianna and Mississippi. It was the adventure of a lifetime, getting to help thousands and thousands of people all because of the generosity of Roland and his wife Dawn.
The second moment is when I told him that I would be leaving Ameriquest. It was the toughest decision I had ever made because it was like leaving family. Waiting for Roland, I was sad . . . and a little terrified.
As he walked in, Roland announced "I hear that there’s a traitor in my midst." Someone had tipped him off (his nephew Adam, one of my best friends). My heart sunk. In a way that only he could, Roland lit me up for about five minutes. I felt about three inches tall.
He then pivoted and asked me what I was going to do. I told him. He started peppering me with questions. He listened. And then he helped me plan it out, offering his guidance and wisdom. Half an hour later I left his office with more than profound gratitude. I left that office with a friend for life.
Roland’s light shined bright; he was a beacon for us all. He led by example and profoundly touched the lives of so many. He not only made his corner of the world a better place – he made THE world a MUCH better place.
Roland is survived by his son Daniel and daughter in-law Judith, his grandson Yosef Yaakov, his daugther Michelle, his brother Claude and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his wife Dawn, one of the classier women I have ever met, who’s strength this week was truly amazing – Roland would have been proud.
There were hundreds of stories printed around the country of Roland’s passing last week, but most focused on his company and his support of the President and Governor Schwarzenegger. I thought the Wall Street Journal article below, was one of the few that actually gave a glimpse of the Roland we all knew and loved.
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Jeff Miller is a partner at Capitol Advocacy and currently serves as Co-Finance Chair of the Republican Governor’s Association. Over the last 15 years Jeff has served in numerous roles in the Republican Party, including most recently as the CFO of the California Republican Party during the 2004 election cycle.
REST IN PEACE ROLAND ARNALL
1939 -2008
LINK:
Subprime Pioneer Turned To Diplomacy, Philanthropy
By Stephen Miller, The Wall Street Journal
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