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.
Jayme,
Like you, I heard about this sad news via social networking sites. And I still can’t believe it. I still remember the three of us discussing the possibility of forming our own firm in the early 1990s, and how you and Jeff inspired my involvement on the PCC Board. Shame on me that I never told him how much he meant to me.
So I don’t make the same mistake with you let me convey my personal and professional admiration for you. You are been a leader in your profession, both in helping drive professional organizations like PCC, and privately for inspiring practitioners like myself.
Larry, you’re so kind to say. This was not the right moment to read your post comment (when on a conference call) as it brought tears to my eyes. And, I just deleted Jeff’s e-mails from my in box. I am choked up here and feeling so sad.
Thanks for being part of my memorable beginnings in public relations in the early Chicago days, Larry. I have always appreciated our relationship in the past and in the future. Thanks for coming by, Larry.