If it weren't for my former editor, Thomas J. Slattery, I would not be writing this blog today. Not only did Tom encourage journalists to become experts on their beats, he also wanted us to be opinion leaders–fixtures within specific readership communities.

Anyone can write news, he felt. What would distinguish National Underwriter among our diverse audiences was the loud voice we would project, with high-profile columnists helping put the news and trends into perspective.

He never shied away from controversy in his editorials, and he insisted we be equally bold in our columns, counting on us to challenge readers to think—to tell them not just what they wanted to hear, but what we felt they needed to hear.

Tom passed away on May 14 at the age of 68, following respiratory failure. (For his obituary, see http://bit.ly/aBbcV9). He died way too early, but his life's work is being carried on here at NU, even among those who never knew him, because Tom changed the way this company approached journalism forever.

The dynamic business-to-business news organization that Tom Slattery left behind in 2001 was unrecognizable from the company he joined in March 1967, and that was no accident.

“Trade” journalism in the old days could be a pretty sleepy profession, filled with light stories about new products, banal association speeches and awards, and straightforward financial, regulatory and legislative news, without much context.

When I came aboard in 1981, Tom was managing editor of both the property-casualty and life-health newsweeklies (a feat I cannot imagine being replicated today). He was determined to shake up the organization, starting with a series of dramatic redesigns emphasizing our emerging beat structure. Sections were anchored by beat editors who included their own lively columns amid in-depth reports.

As Editor in Chief in 1986, Tom changed my life forever by naming me managing editor of the p&c edition. He put a 28-year-old kid in charge of his flagship's day-to-day operation, promoting me over a number of other worthy (and far more experienced) candidates—including longtime colleagues and friends.

I had allies, thank goodness, but support for Tom's decision was certainly not unanimous. Yet he never wavered in his belief that I had the right mixture of experience and potential in hard news, provocative opinion and production to take NU to the next level. I spent the next 15 years making sure he never had cause to second-guess his leap of faith. I will be forever grateful to Tom for helping me become the editor I am today.

Tom's gift was putting good people in place and trusting his instincts that they could carry the ball, while fostering a team mentality. He wanted “rock stars” on each beat, but insisted we play together as a band, not just go solo.

Tom did a lot of other great things for NU. Perhaps his second biggest move was to boldly expand our core audience by adding a consumer element—risk managers—to our historic base of insurance carriers, agents and brokers. Having that buyer readership not only broadened our commercial opportunities, but guaranteed we would never become apologists for the industry.

For me personally, Tom also twisted my arm and forced me to spend two weeks at Stanford University's Professional Publishing Course, where I not only learned a lot, but met some of most fascinating people in my career, including editors from publications in Germany, Egypt and Venezuela who remain among my closest friends to this day, 13 years later. I actually balked at attending, complaining the course would be a waste of time. But Tom insisted that a sabbatical would do me good by expanding my perspective on business publishing. I can't thank him enough for the experience.

Our deepest condolences go out to Tom's wife, Elizabeth Esterkamp (who made her own everlasting impression at NU as our longtime marketing director), as well as his dear son, Mark, who I heard so much about from his proud dad over the years. May he rest in peace.

(The family requests that any donations to honor Tom's memory be made to the American Cancer Society.)

Special Reports /

Ode To Tom Slattery

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