Joseph McKinley Bryan (February 11, 1896 – April 26, 1995)[1] was an American insurance executive, broadcast pioneer, and philanthropist.

In 1931, the couple moved to Greensboro, where Bryan accepted a job offer from Julian Price, who was the founder of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company.

Bryan joined the staff of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and moved up through the ranks.

Frustrated by the lack of knowledge on the disease in the medical community, Bryan backed an experimental procedure at Duke University involving rapid autopsies of victims of Alzheimer's.

The initial success of the program prompted him to donate ten million dollars for Alzheimer's research, putting Duke University Medical Center at the forefront of the battle against the disease.

Bryan was also involved in civic organizations such as the Rotary Club, Masons, Shriners, and other community groups.

In 1961, Governor Luther Hodges named Bryan Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

In the last year of his life, including the day he was admitted to the hospital, Bryan made daily visits to his office in the Jefferson Standard Building.