Retired WLBT News Director Dennis Smith passed away yesterday. He was the best news director this town has seen over the last few decades. He was a newsman at heart and expected his reporters to be the same. Many a cub reporter came to him fresh out of college and moved on to bigger and better things after serving under his tutelage for a time. He was a blessing to his profession and the community he covered.
Dennis was a friend to Jackson Jambalaya and mentored your truly some over the years. Although a veteran newsman, he didn't become fossilized as he was always open to new ways in covering the news such as blogs and social media when his peers looked down on such trends. He encouraged this website every step of the way and was not above mentoring me from time to time. Whenever I had a question on whether I should run with a story, Dennis was always there, ever still the editor even if retired. He would either give me the ok or tell me how to fix the story.
I could say more about Dennis but a former employee honored him so much better ten years ago on this website. Yours truly interviewed Dennis on WJNT ten years ago. The recording and what the employee wrote are posted below. Farewell, my friend.
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
9 comments:
Did he teach their star "senior investigative reporter" how to plagiarize stories? Nope.
RIP.
He was a good man and a great newsman. RIP my friend.
He was definitely a person with an impressive background and a well-respected leader at WLBT. Prayers to his wife.
And a decorated military officer. I remember him speaking at a Memorial Day service. He was also a graduate of MC Law School.
Dennis Smith definitely taught a lot of people how to do news. WLBT was always tops when he ran the show. I wish they had continued the "Probe" show -- I'm sure they would have a field day with the present Jackson leadership.
9:06, what exactly are you talking about? Inquiring minds want to know.
Another thing Dennis did, every year, was to put the WLBT camera guys on notice to look for businesses who were flying American flags that they had allowed to deteriorate. Then, on his "From our point of view" commentary he would "name and shame" those businesses. I worked at a place that was called out one 4th of July. We deserved it and it caused quite a stir! In the more than 30 years since, every place I have worked I have made sure that, if we flew a flag, we did it the right way and replaced worn out ones! RIP Dennis Smith.
In the group picture, I recognize Marsha Halford and Rubenstein, but nobody else. Would be interesting if someone could list their names.
Bert Case next to Marsha
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