On a personal note, I'd like to use this space this month to write about the deep loss of a much-appreciated colleague, who died suddenly as we go to press. Michael Brinkman, Panasonic's VP for strategic business development, was one of the people who helped me learn and grow in this industry and made me want to do my small part to give back what I can.

He was a unique representative for a technology company because his interests were so well rounded. With a background as a documentary producer/director, he always retained a sense of mission that extended far beyond the business of selling technology and into the real world of the people who produce film and video. He participated in the community that grew around Panasonic's products and those of his competitors. He took responsibility for helping to lead that community while graciously directing the spotlight to the artists and technologists he served.

In particular, he believed passionately in bringing people together to share ideas and tackle industry concerns. He was smart, practical, and optimistic, and truly relished the collaborative process, whether working on compression and metadata with the SMPTE and AAF crowd, or tackling big-picture business concerns with his customers and colleagues in production and postproduction. One of his favorite and most important posts was as a board member of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.

In my own experience, I always found him able to walk a line between taking things seriously and living life. He is, after all, the only person I ever met who considered NAB the ideal venue for talking about sport fishing.

Michael was in the prime of his life and career, a husband, father, friend, outdoorsman, and world traveler. He was one of those people who left an afterimage that always lingered after he left a room. I'm trying to keep that in mind now.

I'd like to say farewell and thank you, and to respectfully acknowledge his family's great loss. I personally appreciate the contribution he made to my life and work, and can only assume it was just one tiny part of his many accomplishments.

For those who would like to make a gift in his memory, his family has designated two of his favorite organizations:

Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited
P.O. Box 803189
Santa Clarita, CA 91380

California Department of Fish & Game
Hunter Education Program - Region 5
4949 Viewridge Rd.
San Diego, CA 91380

If you would like to send personal condolences, please address them to:

Mrs. J. Michael Brinkman and Family
28320 Welfleet Lane
Santa Clarita, CA 91350