My most vivid memory of Bob Wientzen is from Sept. 11, 2001.
I got him on the phone early that day, one of the two people I could reach (the other was Lois Geller).
For a brief moment the association chief’s mask came down, and so did the reporter’s, and we connected as two human beings who were stunned by the events.
But Bob recovered quickly. He had member companies in the area, including a few in the towers, and he was already figuring out ways to help them.
That was leadership. And he showed the same quality a few weeks later when colleagues suggested he cancel the fall conference.
That made sense because people were afraid to fly.
But Bob decided not to give in to fear. He knew that if DMers ever needed to come together, that was the time.
His answer to those who would cancel?
Network
