Gail Browning, who retired in 2003 as v-p and divisional sales director of Random House, died on January 19. She was 80.
Jaci Updike, president of U.S. sales, Penguin Random House, remembered Browning as "a beloved mentor to many of us, and while her actual territorial responsibility was the Western states, we liked to joke that she was the boss of us all.
"I am one of the many who loved working for Gail. She hired me as a California sales rep thirty years ago this month, to replace Don Weisberg. She taught me how my job ought to be done, for which I owe her so much.
"Joining the company in 1979, Gail was a divisional director for Bantam Doubleday Dell and then Random House, but she was so much more than that. She was a fierce advocate for the books, their authors, and booksellers she loved. Countless bestsellers began with Gail reading an early manuscript, and then championing her discovery to the sales team and to the booksellers, who loved her just as much as we did.
"Gail was a trusted and valued advisor to senior sales management--she helped guide the company through tumultuous shifts in the marketplace, and played a key role in building and nurturing the retail sales team after the merger with Random House and BDD.
"Gail's leadership style combined tremendous warmth and deep wisdom, and for many of us, she became the touchstone we turned to when facing a big decision, in both work and life. When she retired in 2003, she left a better, stronger organization, filled with colleagues who were wiser for having worked with her. Her legacy will continue in the culture she helped create. She will be much missed."