My first job in media was this site, but it led to me getting my first everyday job in the newspaper industry, which in turn helped us grow TideFans.com into what it is today.
I just found out that Stanley Allison of Russellville, my first publisher at the old Franklin County Times, has passed away. In addition to being a diehard Alabama fan, he was also one of the kindest people I've ever known and a solid mentor to everyone who ever worked with or for him. Pretty sure he was a regular reader here but I never knew him to be a contributor on the boards, unless it was via an alias.
This industry never gets its due in regards to the investment of time it takes to do the job right, and especially at the small-town papers still chugging along, where you do every job under the roof yourself but rarely get a day off because the schedule never allows for it. Stanley hadn't worked there for a few years because of his health, but in happier days he was always a fixture, always fair, and a great boss. Everyone here who enjoys our site owes him a salute for helping me get my start and allowing me to do double-duty back when that was frowned upon somewhat in the media biz.
I was only with him a couple of years but he made a big impact on me and he's gone too soon.