Remembering Jean Srnecz

In the following letter to Book Industry Study Group members, Executive Director Michael Healy addressed the recent loss of Jean Srnecz, senior vice president of merchandising at Baker & Taylor:

February 17, 2009

As some of you may already know, Jean Srnecz, Senior Vice President of merchandising at Baker & Taylor and a longstanding Director of the Book Industry Study Group, was among those who tragically lost their lives in the crash of Continental flight 3407 on February 12.

Jean spent more than 30 years at Baker & Taylor and for many in our industry was the public face of that company. She believed passionately in contributing to the development of our industry and it was this belief that led her to play such an important role in BISG, in the Educational Paperbacks Association and in other industry groups.

Jean was not only a member of the BISG Board, but also a long-time member of our Executive Committee, a small group of industry leaders who guide our organization. In that role, Jean was a loyal and committed supporter of our work over a long period of time, and an insightful adviser.

For me personally, she was a generous source of sound advice from the time I joined BISG in 2006 to last Tuesday, when we spoke for the last time. Everyone at BISG will miss Jean, and on behalf of the organization she supported so strongly, I offer our sincere condolences to her family, her colleagues at B&T, and all her friends in the book industry.

Colleagues at Baker & Taylor have provided the following information about a Memorial Service for Jean:

Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm

Wood Funeral Home
784 Main Street
East Aurora, NY

Funeral Mass – Monday February 23, 11:00 am

St. Cecelia’s Roman Catholic Church
991 Centerline Road
Sheldon, NY