Those who know me may have seen another article I wrote
after just learning of the passing of my good friend and mentor Jean Alexander.
The news not only caught her friends and family off guard, but it sent a wave
of shock and loss through the channel like I’ve never seen before. It seems
like everyone in our industry who crossed paths with Jean came away with at
least one story of her kindness, loyalty, commitment and, perhaps most of all,
her experience. The outpouring of love and support was well deserved, and I was
very pleased that CompTIA asked me to share some comments from her closest
friends in the industry and highlight a few of her major professional
accomplishments.
Some of you may know about many of Jean Alexander’s career accomplishments and how she worked behind the scenes to help make the channel a better place for providers, vendors, distributors and anyone else she encountered along the way. She was a very humble person and would be the last person to brag, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t proud of those she worked with to make things happen. This post is intended to celebrate the Jean many of us knew, and highlight how she became such a great mentor, industry advocate and friend to all.
Many of her family members and friends may not realize how important she was to our segment of the computer technology industry (affectionately referred to as “the Channel”), and how her efforts and passion positively affected the lives of many in our industry. Many remember her days as Director of Worldwide Marketing Communications for Compaq Computers, which was later acquitted by Hewlett Packard, or got to experience her dynamic personality when she joined CompTIA in 2002.
Officially, Jean was charged with helping drive the sales and marketing plans for the association’s events and conferences, including Breakaway, the precursor to today’s ChannelCon. Unofficially, she became an advocate for the industry and for all those who were a part of it. She worked with a great team and was always appreciative of those who made her job easier and her partners success so much better.
That type of teamwork played a crucial role in her success. Jean was the first to give credit to co-workers and those she supported behind the scenes. That’s often where you’d find her when work needed to be done: handling the details and filling in whenever and wherever needed. From negotiating major issues with trade show contracts to getting last minute copies before a conference session (I was on the receiving end of that assist more than once), she was always the first to jump in and lend a hand.
In 2009, Jean took a new role with the ASCII Group as their VP Business Development. She continued forging the types of professional alliances that professionals channel organization needed to grow and, of course, helped mentor a whole new crop of co-workers and business partners.
Perhaps it was her compassion and decency towards others, but Jean always treated others like trusted members of her own family. From ensuring that everyone and every company were treated respectfully and were well represented at events to straightening the lanyards of scores of trade show attendees over the years, she had your back. That’s what Jean did. “Channel mom” was a title she wore proudly.
Few will ever reach her “connected status” in the industry. Her gentle and warm nature, combined with a solid commitment to helping others, certainly played a part. She made friends with virtually everyone she met and the stories of those she helped move up the career ladder through the years are too numerous to remember. Jean recognized talented professionals and understood which businesses would most benefit from their expertise, and often helped make the connections.
Celebrating the Original “Channel Changer”
Today is a
special occasion, when those who knew her would send a congratulatory note,
give her a call or deliver a gift to help celebrate her birthday. I sincerely
believe she wouldn’t want this year to be any different or to see it become a
somber date on the calendar.
Instead, it’s the perfect day to share a few stories of inspiration from some of her closest industry friends. While it’s impossible to list all of Jean Alexander’s personal and professional accomplishments in just a few brief pages, I wanted to share a few memories from those who knew her well.
-Aaron Woods, Director of ASP Programs, US Channels Group, Xerox Corporation
I first met my fellow Chicagoan Jean back in 1989 at what was then ABCD (the Association of Better Computer Dealers which was later renamed CompTIA) when I got involved helping Bill Waas start the Service Section. She was instrumental in helping us put it together and ensuring we had the resources and a place to hold our meetings (n those days we met at various vendor offices). Shortly after ABCD became CompTIA in 1990, I and the other A+ Originators started to create A+ Certification in 1991. Jean provided the foundational support we needed to start the development process and it was through her direction, focus, and evangelism that we were able to successful launch the program in 1993. As I stated during my acceptance speak on behalf of all 16 A+ Originators inducted into the IT Hall of Fame at the 2011 AMM, “Jean was the glue that kept the team of industry service executives together throughout the 2-year development period. That was no small feat.”
One of my fondest
memories of Jean is when I asked her to come up to the stage and join me in during
the induction ceremony for the A+ Originators into the IT Industry Hall of
Fame. While she is not officially listed as a recipient (she was then a CompTIA
employee so it would not have been appropriate), without her support, the
program never would not have gotten off the ground. She told me later how elated
she was with being recognized her for that work and how very proud she was of that
accomplishment.
-Mike Semel, CEO & Founder of Semel
Consulting
Jean Alexander was more than a people person; she was a people connector. Over the years I lost count of the number of people she introduced me to. It seems like every time I arrived at an event Jean would run up to me and say, “I have someone you have to meet…” and she would LITERALLY drag me across the room (past the bar, and past my friends) to connect me with a reseller or vendor. Of course, when I started to introduce myself, they would say, “We already know about you from Jean.” At one event she saw me coming down an escalator and ran UP the down escalator to point out people she wanted me to talk with. When I look back at my professional life, I realize just how many relationships were started by Jean.
Jean was also never afraid to ask for a favor ̶ but it was never for her. It was always for someone else. She contacted me asking if I would help out her grandson who is interested in cyber security. She introduced me to resellers and vendors she thought I could help. She would call me about a friend in trouble.
Occasionally a friendship changes from a
casual friendship to the point you would donate a kidney if the other person
needed it, no questions asked. I’m glad I was able to help Jean through some
tough times, but nothing I did for her ever compared to what she did for me.
What Jean did for me can only be repaid by caring about others; by helping my
friends and getting them to help others; by meeting a person attending an event
for the first time, learning about them, and introducing them to people who can
help them on their journey. I can never be as good at it as Jean was, but I
will do my best so I can honor her memory.
-Bob Biddle, long-time industry friend
Jean was a mentor, dear friend, and walking “Rolodex” of who’s who and was always ready to make an introduction and open a door for others. I am going to sorely miss those regular calls we had. We have indeed lost a legend who touched countless friends and industry colleagues all around the world. If ever there was a “channel hall of champions,” Jean would be one of the forerunners and deservedly so.
The lives Jean Alexander touched in a positive way should give us all hope. I believe she would challenge others to step up and give what it takes to help others succeed. That’s the type of channel changer she was…and the caring person many of us will remember her as.
“There are special people in our lives who never leave us -- even after they are gone.” D. Morgan
