Gentry’s mentorship and management type had been extensively praised. Chris Gaglia, a former OpenX worker, recalled Gentry’s preliminary hesitance to rent him over issues that Gaglia was a surfer, and Gentry was “frightened about motivation.” Nevertheless, the 2 bonded rapidly and, “because it turned out, JG beloved paddleboarding and spending time in Newport Seaside—and as soon as we related, we by no means regarded again,” Gaglia mentioned.
“Each from time to time, you meet somebody who leaves a long-lasting imprint in your life. JG was a type of folks,” Gaglia mentioned. “Though my time working with him was far too quick, I’ll always remember our weekly one-on-ones—half nervous, half excited—as a result of he was at all times direct, at all times anticipated outcomes, and but by some means at all times despatched you away sharper than while you walked in. He was a pacesetter who challenged you, believed in you, and made you higher. The trade misplaced an incredible one.”
Michael Todd, an govt at Silver Lake Companions who beforehand labored as chief know-how officer and at OpenX, remembered Gentry as a considerate and caring presence. “John was instrumental in constructing OpenX into the unbiased, people-first advert tech firm it turned identified for over the previous decade,” Todd advised ADWEEK. “He mixed deep trade instinct with real take care of these round him, and he pushed everybody to function at the next normal. I used to be lucky to be taught from him as a pacesetter and to know him as an individual.”
Tributes to Gentry flooded social media following the information of his loss of life.
Jason Fairchild, cofounder and CEO of TV adtech agency tvScientific, in a publish, referred to as Gentry “an trade chief, a pioneer, a collaborator to many people, and an unbelievable govt.” He additionally characterised Gentry as his “finest buddy,” “mentor,” and “largest fan.”
Fairchild and Gentry labored collectively at software program agency GoTo.com earlier than Fairchild recruited Gentry to hitch OpenX. Beneath his oversight, Fairchild wrote, “OpenX re-transformed right into a high-growth firm pushed by innovation and unbelievable execution.”
In a press release to ADWEEK, Fairchild added: “John was a drive of nature. A drive centered on doing the suitable factor. The fitting factor for the corporate and the suitable factor for the person. The drive was uncompromising and sometimes pushed folks out of their consolation zones, nevertheless it was grounded in empathy and take care of the individual.”
Of their private lives, Gentry and Fairchild had been extraordinarily shut. “We spent numerous hours collectively commuting, vacationing, and simply hanging out, speaking about work, life’s ups and downs, our targets, household, and no matter was occurring,” Fairchild wrote in his publish. “We raised our youngsters collectively, sharing Christmas mornings or teaming up in opposition to the children for epic Name of Obligation matches, solely to get our asses kicked by 8-year-olds. We had been out and in of one another’s chaotic each day lives for many years. He was the primary buddy I’d name with excellent news or to speak by way of a life problem.”
Gentry’s selflessness and good nature had been echoed by others who knew him and labored with him.
