Jack Briody, a former Philips Lighting Co. executive, died March 8 due to complications from cancer. He was 72 years old.
A respected visionary and expert strategist with a strong background in marketing and sales, Briody joined Philips Lighting in 1969, holding successive leadership positions in the sales and marketing functions until 1991. Following an executive marketing position within the ballast division of MagneTek, Briody returned to Philips as president and CEO of Advance in 1993, where he went on to lead the Advance team to record sales and profits until his retirement in 2001. A champion behind the lighting upgrade revolution throughout his career, Briody remained an active driver of lighting and energy-related initiatives upon his retirement.
“Jack was an inspirational, magnanimous force who touched so many lives in such a positive and indelible way,” said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications and longtime colleague and friend Susan Bloom. Longtime customer and friend Larry Powers, previous CEO of The Genlyte Group and now CEO, Philips Business Unit Professional Luminaires North America, said, “Jack was a true visionary leader in our industry who will be remembered by everyone he touched for many years to come.”
Briody is survived by his wife, Andrea, and children, John and Danielle.
Donations in Briody’s memory may be made to either the American Cancer Society’s Brick “Relay For Life,” 1035 Hooper Ave., Tom’s River, NJ 08753, (732) 818-3517, ext. 13, or the Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation, 333 E. 88th Street, Suite 830, New York, NY 10016 (212) 297-4336, www.childrenscbf.org