By Phil Perry
For The Herald-Dispatch
On Monday afternoon, we lost our friend and vice president of advertising, Jerry Briggs, after a short illness.
This is never a call you expect, especially regarding a man as strong and prideful as Jerry was. In his early 60s, he had the energy of most people half his age. Jerry loved to travel and go on adventures with his lovely wife, Jill.
They inspired my wife, Chanda, and I to do more.
I’ve been in this business long enough to experience painful losses. When I sat down to write this, I knew that it would be quite easy despite the grief that we are processing across HD Media’s landscape of employees, advertisers and friends in the community. It would be easy because I respect Jerry so much.
I always called him, “My guy.” I don’t know why; perhaps it had something to do with trust.
He had over 40 years invested in the newspaper business. He successfully stepped into the multimedia world mid-career. He transitioned into a new and exciting digital world.
He loved everything about it. He often told me that he wouldn’t do anything different regarding his choice of profession. He had a strong exterior, but when it came to employees and their families, he was a softy. I loved that about him.
Jerry Briggs was a man of principle. He’d stand up and fight for what he thought was right. He’d go toe-to-toe with anyone — but respectfully. We verbally grappled on occasion and sometimes, he’d convince me that I was wrong.
Our 10-year working relationship was built on respect and a friendship cultivated over time. Jerry and I helped lead a culture change within the organization that saw walls that were built between departments many years ago crumble to the ground. I always told Jerry, “This isn’t 1975 and we don’t need to operate that way. Help me do this.”
Jerry was committed to helping me and our leadership team build something. Brick by brick.
He was a wonderful salesperson and it showed in the accounts he personally handled. Jerry genuinely wanted to help the advertiser and develop a plan tailored for their needs. I learned a lot about advertising from Jerry. He had seen it all. He wanted to show results. He took pride in not “just making the sale,” but servicing and nurturing it.
Jerry adored his staff. I’ve watched him give so much of himself to them. He was always available, always ready to make a tough decision or guide an initiative. He encouraged ideas that fell outside the traditional box. I loved that we shared that thought process.
Jerry adored his family. His boys were a tremendous source of pride and I enjoyed hearing about their accomplishments as adults.
In May, he was able to see Cole and Caitie start their lives together in marriage. He loved his trips to Charlotte to spend time with Luke, Caroline and the grandchildren, Millie and Bowen.
I always saw Jerry and Jill as peanut butter and jelly. We attended a fundraiser together in the fall and their chemistry was undeniable. It was obvious. It was beautiful. Chanda, and I talked about it.
On Aug. 29, we’ll host our annual Corks & Kegs event at Barboursville Park. For two specific years, Jerry and I were moving kegs around all day in the heat, sweating it out while chugging gallons of water. We joked, “Why are the old guys doing this?”
Jerry loved the event and his passion for it boiled over.
Our controller, Georgetta Thevenin, and Jerry made that event happen every year. It is their baby and they directed the traffic in terms of planning and strategy. We are committed to making this year the best one ever and making Jerry proud of us.
I love that Jerry Briggs always made decisions in the best interest of his family. He was a loyal friend and a tireless, creative worker.
I’m proud to have known him. He made my life better.
Read more from HDMedia, here.
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