From the Publisher
James F. Bailey, Jr.
Well, I just had an incredibly uplifting experience that I want to share with you, in part because you were part of it, and because I think it will help make an important point.
I truly believe in the SPIRIT Awards. Each year as we prepare to review the nominations, I get a little anxious. Then, when we make our selections, I get all revved up when I see the quality of those we recognize.
It’s really inspiring to learn about contributions made by the people in our industries who live up to the six categories of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Initiative and Teamwork is really inspiring.
But, as much as the SPIRIT Awards mean to me, I sometimes wonder if they are a very big deal to others, including the winners.
Well, recently I got my answer.
As you know, Jacksonville icon Bill Gay received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. I’ve been both a big fan and good friend of Mr. Gay’s for over three decades. In fact, as a young man I served with him on the Board of Directors of the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, and he inspired me to make community service a part of my life.
Because I know him so well, I’m aware of the fact that over the course of his career, Mr. Gay has been recognized over and over and over again for his many contributions to society.
So, to be honest, I asked myself why one more award at this time in his life would make much difference to Mr. Gay. I just figured it would be sort of a ho-hum.
But, when I phoned him to let him know he’d been chosen, he was thrilled, and together he and I planned a presentation ceremony at his corporate office on Stockton Street.
Now, if you know anything about Mr. Gay, you know that next to his wife Eloise and his family, nothing is more important to him than the people who work for him. His business is probably one of the most employee-focused companies in America.
And, it was only natural for him to want to share the honor of the SPIRIT Award with his people.
So, on a Friday at noon very recently, I took the SPIRIT Award to W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors to present it to Mr. Gay in front of a couple of hundred of his employees he had invited to lunch in the employees’ lunch room.
The room was filled and everyone seemed enthused to be there and see their boss honored.
After we had all eaten, I made my brief remarks and presented him the award. As he came up on the stage, the entire room fell silent. Mr. Gay stood there for a moment at the podium, but he said nothing. He was filled with joy. It was not joy for himself because he was receiving an award, but it was for all of the people who were there sharing this moment with him.
When he attempted to speak and couldn’t, it was as if they already knew what he was going to say. And, in the unison of a well-rehearsed choir, everyone in the room slid back their chairs and stood up to give Mr. Gay a thunderous and long ovation.
It was an emotional and proud moment for everyone, especially for me as Mr. Gay’s friend. But, I was most proud because I was there representing you and our industries.
After the applause ended and his employees sat down, Mr. Gay was finally able to say something. The message he conveyed is something that I want to share with you.
Basically, Mr. Gay said, there is great value in doing good things for others. It’s important, he said, to honor those who make a difference, not necessarily for the personal recognition, but because good news about good works is what helps us overcome the evil in the world. We need more good works and more good news, Mr. Gay said.
As we pass this milestone and continue to face the challenges ahead in this year, I encourage you to remember that. We need more good works and more good news.
It’s like Dr. Seuss said: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
- Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection.