Jack Briody, a former Philips Lighting Co. executive, died March 8 due to complications from cancer. He was 72 years old.
A respected visionary and expert strategist with a strong background in marketing and sales, Briody joined Philips Lighting in 1969, holding successive leadership positions in the sales and marketing functions until 1991. Following an executive marketing position within the ballast division of MagneTek, Briody returned to Philips as president and CEO of Advance in 1993, where he went on to lead the Advance team to record sales and profits until his retirement in 2001. A champion behind the lighting upgrade revolution throughout his career, Briody remained an active driver of lighting and energy-related initiatives upon his retirement.
“Jack was an inspirational, magnanimous force who touched so many lives in such a positive and indelible way,” said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications and longtime colleague and friend Susan Bloom.
Longtime customer and friend Larry Powers, former CEO of The Genlyte Group and now CEO, Philips Business Unit Professional Luminaires North America, said, “Jack was a true visionary leader in our industry who will be remembered by everyone he touched for many years to come.”
Briody is survived by his wife, Andrea, and children John and Danielle.
Donations in Briody's memory may be made to either the American Cancer Society's Brick “Relay For Life,” 1035 Hooper Ave., Tom's River, N.J. 08753, (732) 818-3517, ext. 13, or the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation, 333 E. 88th Street, Suite 830, New York, N.Y. 10016 (212) 297-4336, www.childrenscbf.org
Arnold “Kechi” McEachern of Wichita, Kan., retired president of Star Electric Supply of Wichita, Kan., died March 1. He was 86 years old.
McEachern was born Aug. 20, 1921, near Perth, Kan., and attended a one-room grade school. He attended American Business College. McEachern was then employed at American Electric Co.
In 1942, he married Doris Brown at Conway Springs, Kan., and enlisted in the Army. He was a Tech-Sgt. at Eisenhower's headquarters in London and received the Bronze Star while stationed in France. He returned to American Electric Co. as a city salesman. In 1954, he was co-founder of Star Electric Supply Inc. and served as president until age 70. McEachern was active with the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Board of Governors and the Missouri River Club.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Doris; daughter Sharon McEachern; son Barry and wife Pam; granddaughters Sara McEachern and Kim Day; his sister Mary Lou Hyter, many friends and business associates. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bonnie Ward, and his brothers Glen and Billy.
A memorial has been established to Inter-Faith Ministries, 829 N. Market, Wichita, Kan. 67214.
Douglas Scott Witherow, former vice president of sales for United Electric Supply Co.'s Pennsylvania-New Jersey region, died on Jan. 27 after a heroic battle with cancer. He was 46 years old.
Witherow received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University in 1983. He spent his entire career at United Electric Supply Co., joining the company the summer he graduated from college. He held many positions there during his nearly 25 years, the most recent as vice president of sales for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey region.
Witherow loved all things sports, but none more than golf. He was well known at the Delaware National Country Club. For many years, he and his friends played in a golf tournament with a group of fellow golf lovers who lived across the “pond” in England. He most recently played in the McBurnie Cup in September 2007 at various courses in and around Manchester.
He is survived by his wife, Paula Caputo Witherow, and his daughter, Madison Marie Witherow, age 7. He is also survived by his parents, Mary and Rick Brennan; his brother Rick Witherow and wife Barbara; his niece Brooke and nephew Mitchell.