Were it not for social media and professional social networking, I would not have gotten the news that my long-time and dear Publicity Club of Chicago pal, Jeff Bierig, left this crazy world for new public relations endeavors, to be born anew in a different job other than the Illinois Institute of Technology or the Chicago Tribune.
When I first joined the PCC back in the late ‘80s, I was an upstart, and Jeff wasn’t that much more. He had a full head of black curls and a damn good radio voice especially when he dropped it to the normal baritone I loved so much. When he phoned me (before the days of caller I.D.) he never said his name; I always knew it was he.
Jeff and I shared laughs galore, flirts, stories about raising our children, his spouse out of work, and usually his own job search after departing a two-decade career as media relations director at the Chicago Tribune.
We bumped elbows and rubbed shoulders throughout my 15 years with PCC as president, as a two-term board member and committee chair of nearly every committee except for advertising (hah, I was not stupid). Jeff’s contribution to PCC was even longer than mine, probably because he never left!
When I moved from Chicago, Jeff and I remained in touch mostly via phone, but it was frequently periodic. He was a loving husband, adoring of his kids’ accomplishments, loved his EU holidays, concerts, music, and so much more. I know he’s jammin’ on high right now.
Back in the day, PCC was a family; it was a professional community in which we grew and shared experiences that are now fond memories. Thanks, Jeff, for rollin’ the good times. I miss you dearly.
