February 28th, 2008
“The Great” Eugene Jackson
I had the good fortune to manage many black professionals during my career as a leader of great teams. It is heart warming to know, observe and realize what outstanding people these folks are. Many if not most have gone on to have remarkable careers and now are in leadership position themselves. All of these great people were underappreciated by the white system, and had to out work, deliver better results and were successful nerverless.
Eugene Jackson was in Chicago last night and we had the opportunity to spend a few hours together. Eugene would not let me reach into my wallet which only added to my enjoyment. I am excited to share Eugene Story with this blog because he exemplifies the sprit of Blackinbusiness.We are a blog for ordinary people doing extraordinary things!
The hope is, by sharing the stories of inspiring black success stories; others will feel success is possible. When I review Eugene’s credentials some may feel he is beyond ordinary. He is now because of a lifetime of dedicated effort. Here are a few bullet points regarding Eugene.
Graduate of Jackson State University, ROTC
Military Officer
Army Ranger
Army Ranger Instructor
Million dollar salesman at Abbott Laboratories.
Worldwide Marketing Product Manager
Sales Manager
Number 1 sales manager at Beckman Coulter INC
Currently regional director for Johnson and Johnson, Ortho Division
Eugene is fluent in English, German, Korean and Portuguese. He understands Spanish and Ebonics.
He is the father of 5 children and is a husband.
Pretty cool stuff, wouldn’t you say? Eugene became a member of my Million dollar club by exceed 200% of his annual sales goal. His reward was to have his name enshrined as “The Great,” Eugene Jackson and receive a million dollar club ring. Since that time in 1996, Eugene has grown in stature, 6ft 2in, 285 lbs of a lot of muscle, but he still wears his million dollar club ring.
He demands excellence from his team and reminds a sought after medical sales professional. Eugene we are proud of you.
On a separate note, I posted about Minister Farrakhan, my links went from 247 to 227 and even though, he was all over the news, and a part of the Presidential debate, there are no comments. I guess is too hot to handle but I hope some readers will study some of my notes from his saviours day address. There is a lot to ponder. Keep Hope Alive!
March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Eugene Jackson is indeed great. Imagine one man involved in about 9 different careers, what versatility!
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Soli, Thanks for stopping by and for your comment
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I wish I could meet him and pick his brain for like 10 minutes.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
When you told me your website was called, “Black in Business”, I thought it was referring to having your business operating in the black. (as opposed to operating in the red.)
Then after I log on for the first time, I read about my old buddy Huge-Gene Jackson (and other black professionals) who were “underappreciated by the white system, and had to out work, deliver better results and were successful NERVELESS.”
“Nerveless?” Eugene?! Hardly! He had more nerve than most folks I know. In fact, he had to have thick skin because he and I used to point/counter-point on a daily basis when he was the global product mgr at Abbott while I was the US product manager. (And yes, I’m enjoying the play on words with your typo of the word I believe you meant to use, which was “nevertheless”)
And then I began wondering to myself, “Should I be offended that JD just stated that black professionals had to out work and deliver better results because they were underappreciated by the white system?”, until it dawned on me that perhaps, just perhaps, you were refering to the “Miles White” system, of which I am no longer a card-carrying member of.
Which reminds me, I think I’m going to see if Miles White has a blog called “White in Business!”
You know I love you JD, and you too Huge! I enjoyed visiting your blog. Just trying to add a little “color” to it! Truth is often similar to colors when mixed. e.g., black and white mixed together produces a shade of gray, or somewhere closer to the middle.
Greg O’
March 4th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Soa, mentoring is a great thing and having a resource like EuGene would be a benifit. Thanks for the comment
March 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Greg, you are so typical corporate, one in which there is more interest in a typo than the point of the article.Myself I do not worry about typo’s or honest errors, we are not trying to be perfect. I am not surprised you have some dismay with my focus on the racial aspect of business. Remember, I knew you right out of college, blond blue eyed, still good looking with hair, Immature but honest and hard working. You had it all including the honor of working for a black manager that worked for me.
Miles is a man I respect and will say he was always good to me. The guys I refer to are still in ADD and some have moved out of sales. Thanks you for your visit and your comment. I love you as well!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
It is what Eugene Jackson represents that people want to aspire to. He obviously has success and discipline. And a lot of people are already finding it difficult to achieve just one of them. He really does deserve to have the words “The Great” fixed into his name.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:42 am
JD:
My entire editorial was intended to be satire. I didn’t have any dismay with your focus over any racial aspects of business. You are also correct in that no manager before or since backed his team up as much as Gresh did for our team. And for the record, I’m still good looking, still have hair, and still immature, honest, and hard working!
So now that you have my heart-felt apology for my employment of sarcasm, irony, and keenness of wit, can I ask that you continue to be a fan of mine when my future employer calls you for a reference tomorrow?
March 5th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Good to hear about this!
March 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hi Greg, I got you covered. You are the Great Greg O’Leary
March 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Julie, thanks for your visit and comment!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Hi Gary, thanks for stopping by
May 29th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
My fathet is the of the best at whatever he does.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
“The Great” Eugene Jackson is my son.
He has always excelled. As a small child i noticed the leadership ability in him. He’s great as a husband, he’s great as a father. he’s great as a son, last but not least, he’s great in his profession.
June 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
The GREAT Eugene Jackson. I concur. My fondest regards to Eugene Jackson. He has always been a man of honor and deserves respect and all of the good fortune life gives him. Love you Euge.