McAlister, Alexander W. (Alexander Worth), 1862-1946

Alexander Worth McAlister was founder and president of Pilot Life Insurance Company and a leader in the North Carolina Conference for Social Service and the North Carolina State Board of Charities and Public Welfare.

Alexander Worth McAlister, son of Alexander Carey and Adelaide Worth McAlister, was born 21 March 1862 in Asheboro, N.C. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of North Carolina in 1882. On 11 April 1894, he married Sara Reid Little, of Richmond County, N.C. They had three sons and two daughters.

In 1895, McAlister organized the first of the original four fire insurance companies, the Southern Stock Mutual Insurance Company, which later became the Southern Stock Fire Insurance Company, in Greensboro, N.C. He helped found Pilot Life Insurance Company in 1903, became president in 1909, and was a leader in this company for nearly 30 years.

McAlister was also active in the North Carolina Conference for Social Service from its formation in 1912 and served as its president, 1915-1916. McAlister was instrumental in the formation of the North Carolina State Board of Charities and Public Welfare and served as its vice-chairman in 1917. He remained a member of the latter organization until his resignation in 1944. McAlister also served as president of the Greensboro Board of Public Welfare and of the Greensboro Council of Catholics, Jews, and Protestants.

McAlister died 20 November 1946 in Greensboro, N.C.