Mark Ain, the pioneering entrepreneur and founder of Kronos Incorporated—now known as UKG—passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and enduring impact on the global technology landscape.
A trailblazer in workforce management solutions, Mark founded Kronos in 1977 with a bold vision to revolutionize how organizations manage labor and productivity. Under his stewardship as CEO and Executive Chairman, Kronos achieved extraordinary growth—marking 111 consecutive quarters of revenue increases and 82 quarters of profitability. These milestones made Kronos one of the most successful and sustainable companies in the software industry during its time as a public company from 1992 to 2007.
Mark Ain’s leadership philosophy was rooted in consistency, innovation, and a deep commitment to solving real-world business challenges. His efforts positioned Kronos as a global leader in delivering time and attendance, scheduling, payroll, and HR solutions to organizations in more than 100 countries, including over half of the Fortune 1000®.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Mark was a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and education. As a Trustee at the University of Rochester, he championed initiatives that fostered innovation and supported aspiring entrepreneurs. His generous contributions and mentorship helped shape a new generation of leaders and changemakers.
Mark held a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA from the University of Rochester, where he remained a deeply engaged alumnus and donor.
In his later years, Mark continued to share his wisdom as an author, investor, advisor, and mentor. He remained committed to guiding startups and established enterprises alike, always with a focus on long-term vision and meaningful impact.
Mark Ain will be remembered not only for building one of the most respected enterprise software companies in the world but also for his humility, generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of innovation to change lives.
He is survived by loved ones, colleagues, friends, and the thousands of individuals whose careers and lives were shaped by his extraordinary vision.