# Aron Ain

> Aron Ain is the founding CEO and executive chair of UKG, the workforce-software company created by the 2020 merger of Kronos and Ultimate Software. He joined Kronos in 1979, became its CEO in 2005, and wrote WorkInspired about employee engagement, trust and manager accountability. He also serves as an advisory operating partner at Hellman & Friedman and board chair of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston.

- **Role:** Executive Chair of the Board of Directors at UKG
- **Organizations:** UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group), Kronos Incorporated, Hellman & Friedman, Hamilton College, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts; economics and government, Hamilton College
- **Known for:** Received the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New England’s technology category., Led Kronos through its transition toward cloud software and the merger creating UKG., UKG debuted at number six on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1979** — Graduated from Hamilton College and joined Kronos as an early employee.
- **2005** — Succeeded Mark Ain as CEO of Kronos.
- **2007** — Helped negotiate the $1.8 billion sale taking Kronos private under Hellman & Friedman.
- **2016** — Kronos introduced open vacation and its Manager Effectiveness Index.
- **2018** — Published WorkInspired: How to Build an Organization Where Everyone Loves to Work.
- **2020** — Became founding CEO and chairman of UKG following the merger of Kronos and Ultimate Software, completed April 1.
- **2022** — Transitioned to UKG executive chair on July 1; joined Hellman & Friedman in an advisory operating-partner role.

## Achievements

- Received the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New England’s technology category.
- Led Kronos through its transition toward cloud software and the merger creating UKG.
- UKG debuted at number six on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2021.
- Authored WorkInspired, published in 2018.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — CJP’s published 2026-2027 board roster lists Aron J. Ain as board chair; verified October 11, 2026.
- **2025-01** — Adam Mendler republished an earlier Kronos-era interview with Ain on January 13, identifying him as UKG executive chair; the interview is historical.
- **2024-07** — UKG announced Jennifer Morgan as CEO on July 29; Ain was quoted as executive chair of its board.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronain/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AronAin

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/aron-ain
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11