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Perry heads corporate marketing's Futures Group, which includes facility planning, market research, delivery system enhancement and strategic and tactical planning functions.

Perry is the eighth recipient of the corporation's prestigious award, which symbolizes excellence in all aspects of a career, dedication beyond expectation, innovation, commitment and selfless giving to family and community. He was selected from nominees throughout the bank's 13-state, 45,000-employee operations.

"This award is the result of many years of dedication, innovation and commitment to excellence that Ralph brings to everyone at First Union," said Ed Crutchfield, First Union Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer. "He has always done far more than asked or expected and contributes magnificently to the success of First Union and is an inspiration to all of us."

Perry, 52, joined First Union in 1979, working as assistant director of the revolving credit department. Since then, he has been a key manager in corporate marketing leading such efforts as mergers and acquisitions, branch distribution and alternative delivery channels.

Perry provided marketing leadership through 60 acquisitions between 1985 and 1997, helping First Union grow from a $7 billion North Carolina bank to a $143 billion global leader. Perry introduced the CheckCard, the branch merchandising system and led First Union's ATM network for many years, making it one of the highest performing, most efficient networks in the U.S. He led home banking tests, development of enhanced-function ATMs and interactive video and created other alternative delivery channels.

In 1985, Perry developed and implemented the 'financial services center' concept which included computerized information, direct phone lines, investment analysts and technology that speeds customer transactions.

A native of Soperton, Ga., Perry earned an engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master of business administration in finance from Georgia State University.

Last year, Charlotte-based Barbara Colvin, First Union's chief operating officer of Evergreen Investment Services, won the award.

The Tenth Legion Award is named for the Roman Empire's Tenth Legion, whose members' reputation for excellence was legendary. Stationed in the frontiers of the empire, the soldiers of the Tenth Legion were known as the "best-of-the-best."

Charlotte-based First Union Corp., is the nation's sixth-largest banking company, based on assets of $143 billion at June 30, 1997. The company provides financial services to more than 12 million customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

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