3 minute read
PARTING WORDS
August—You Need an Identity
Jim Lee Executive Editor
Just coming off of a terrific celebration of the 4th of July and looking forward to Labor Day and the very special remembrances of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I realized that the month of August is without a national holiday. It’s kind of a kicked back month of vacations, hot weather, and putting the kids back to school.
My apologies to anyone who has a birthday or anniversary in August, but you have to dig deep to find special days set aside for August. Some of those I came up with are National Watermelon Day on the 3rd, Lefthanders Day on the 13th, and National Smile Week from the 5th to the 11th. This month, it seems, everybody is on vacation.
So, I decided to clean out my briefcase. Five conferences and a couple of national LP company meetings have left me with a pile of stuff. Lanyards, badges, programs, dinner invites, pencils from golf courses, lottery tickets from other states, pens from vendors, session evaluation sheets, hotel memo pads and pen (those are free aren’t they?), conference bags, other people’s business cards, and a to-do list made out on the plane. “Clean out briefcase” was not on the list, but I did it anyway, which stirred up lots of wonderful and heartfelt memories of seeing old friends, meeting new ones, witnessing thought-provoking sessions, and some not so much, but all a part of the process of being involved with LP professionals.
I had the privilege to be involved and know a special LP professional who was recognized at the National Retail Federation LP conference in June. I wrote about John Hegan in the LP Magazine Thursday newsletter a few weeks ago and wanted to share it again with those who may not have seen it. It reads as follows.
Someone Special
Think of someone who is very “special” that you have met, you know, have worked with in the past, or perhaps work for today. Special people make you feel better just to be around them. Why is that?
Recently at the NRF LP conference a “special” person was recognized. Mr. John Hegan was inducted into the Ring of Excellence. The NRF Ring is a premier recognition program for loss prevention professionals whose achievements and outstanding leadership have significantly shaped the industry. The defining quality among these leaders is that the retail industry would not be what it is today without their contribution. That is the NRF definition and it fits John Hegan perfectly.
John worked for Bambergers, which became Macy’s, for 45 years as a store detective and progressed to be the VP and director. He had many accomplishments, but had a “special” flare for coordinating the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also served the LP community with his 20-year stint on the NRF advisory council.
Since John has been retired for many years, most people never had the opportunity to meet or get to know John. Those of us who did, understand what “special” means in a person. I can close my eyes and think of John and the words that come to me are stability, gentleman, expert, caring, integrity, and respect for others and for the LP profession. John could not be at the ceremony to personally receive his induction into the Ring of Excellence due to health reasons, but the applause for him was heartwarming. Congrats and thank you to a very “special” person.
As the magazine moves forward on the September-October issue, you should know we are planning some very special editorial in remembrance of ten years after 9/11. We will be using the print magazine, weekly newsletter, and our website for 9/11 perspectives.
Smile.
