WLBT news director Dennis Smith appeared on the show today. I should say Colonel Dennis Smith, Esquire, as he is a retired Army helicopter pilot and a member of the bar. Mr. Smith announced his retirement this week. Here is the recording of the show and below the recording is a tribute written by one of his former employees. Enjoy.
"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent."
-Douglas McArthur
So the news that Dennis Smith announced his retirement on Monday came as quite a surprise to me here in New Orleans. I wish him the best in his new life adventures as I'm sure you all do as well. The reason the announcement came as such a surprise is because to me - Dennis Smith is one of the pillars of WLBT. A consumate professional, a true grinder with a nose for news who has continued to work day in and day out to make WLBT a top station in Mississippi. Simply put, Dennis makes those around him better. When he first hired me as a 25 year old out of Monroe, Louisiana I thought I knew it all. How wrong I was. Dennis and the rest of you all helped make me a better reporter, a better journalist a better person. I know that many of you all know Dennis as a person and professional better than me, but I can tell you - the 3 years I spent working for him were fantastic. I look back at the way he played by a set of "big boy rules" - maybe a result of being a military man - and held every person accountable, didn't tolerate any excuses and ran a tight ship. I always knew who was in charge of our newsroom and news product. Dennis gave me the opportunity to cover some of the biggest stories of my career - hurricanes on the gulf coast, executions at Parchman, major criminal trials, military trips across the country and in depth investigations. For that - I am grateful. That work helped me land the job I have now - a dream job ... and for that I will always be appreciative.
Truth be told, when I first arrrived in Jackson back in 2000, Dennis scared the hell out of me. There were many times I received a butt chewing because of a mistake made - and it was well deserved. But I realized quickly that if you worked hard and produced - Dennis was the first person to come tell you good job and offer positive feedback. That matters. The news team he has led for more than 20 has always produced and that matters! Trust me, it does not go unnoticed to those of us who have moved on.
On a personal note, while I was working at WLBT, I suffered a great loss in my life in September of 2001. My father passed away. I was 26 years old and lost. Not only did Dennis call repeatedly to make sure me and my family were alright, he gave me the proper time off to grieve and spend with my brother and mother. When I returned to work, Dennis and Mike Evans asked me to play golf with them in the Media Day event for the Southern Farm Bureau Golf Classic up at Annandale CC. Back than, I thought they asked me to play just to fill out a foursome and maybe help our team (I'd beat them both into the ground, really). But I later realized that it was their way to get my mind off of the circumstances in my life. It was there way to make sure I was alright. Dennis didn't do it because he had to - he did it because he wanted to. To me - it speaks volumns about the character he has and the type of person he is. The little things go a long way.
To close, I know Dennis is a military man ... the old cliche is "would you want that person fighting side by side with you in a fox hole?" My answer: YES. I'd take Dennis Smith any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
The hardest thing I had to to at WLBT was telling Dennis Smith - and the rest of you all - that I was leaving. I'm sure his departure will be difficult as he looks you all in the eyes and says good bye. Dennis, you had a great run. Congrats. I hope you realized all the people you've touched and the careers you've made possible.
Travers
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
WJNT today
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9 comments:
Thanks, KF. Dennis helped make 3 a great news station, and protected it well during the Melton years. He is a classic "quiet man," never flaunting his considerable brain power, nor invoking his years of experience in a way that would seem condescending to one who is younger. I hope he changes his mind soon.
Go ahead and lambast me for axing, but, what has he done, what did he do, what expertise did he have, what 'quiet' miracles did he work, how did he protect a network, what opportunity did he have to be condescending?
As was said earlier, the only time I saw him over the last fifteen years was a periodic 30 second opinion soundbite. I read where he was a helicopter pilot and an attorney, but hell!
Why are all of you negative pricks so condescending on people who have "made the news" And work and try to make our city better. Over and over. Pick a person = loser nobody. Meanwhile, other than anonymously blogging, you have done NOTHING to improve this community. NOTHING and you know it.
Ok sorry. Not anon. Samuel Sessions..
The only prick you truly know Sam is your own. There is no proof you've done anything to improve this community besides take a dump here. Toodles.
sam:
because some of us have been around longer, seen more, and are less naive, perhaps a bit smarter than you. i did my part for a few decades, and saw the light.
8:18; are you about to sing the second chorus of "Leland Speed; The Man and His Miracles"?
2:57 WTF are you up for? Can't sleep? Looking at porn???
I wonder is Bert Case will follow in Dennis' footsteps and retire?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBk6MzXBdJU
My favorite Bert Case moment.
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