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In addition to his commitment in the workplace, Willes has invested
considerable effort into his relationship with Laura and their children.
Laura appreciates her husband's ability to literally and figuratively
close his briefcase once he arrives home.
"His commitment to home and family has made it all work," Laura
Willes says. "That doesn't mean we haven't wanted more of his time,
but we've always known where his heart is."
"Find a job you love, because you're going
to get knocked down and you'll have to find a way to get up."
—Mark H. Willes
Willes describes himself as an uncomplicated person. He doesnt put
stock in fancy leadership books or seminars but relieson the scriptures
to learn how lead others. His hero is nota wildly successful executive
at big companyits father banker who never went college ownstudied
topics ranging from geology astronomy.
When the Willeses recently moved from Los Angeles to Utah County,
Mark Willes took the opportunity to look through family mementos
and a variety of professional accolades. Items relating to his career
hold little value; he places more importance on his relationships
with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
As Mark and Laura Willes prepare to embark on new pursuits, the
healthy obstinance and desire to have an impact that has accompanied
them so far promises to come in handy. The Willeses recently accepted
a call to preside over the Honolulu, Hawaii mission of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and expect to begin their service
in July 2001.
Once again, the surroundings will be new as the Willeses exchange
their Utah home for a mission home. But one thing remains certain;
Mark Willes' desire to forge ahead in life is surpassed only by
a consciousness that being principled will always outweigh being
popular.
His rationale is simple. "The Lord is very clear that if you're
going to do something, you ought to do it to the best of your ability,"
he said. "I've always had a desire to be part of something that
makes a difference in people's lives."
About the Author
Edward L. Carter is a freelance writer and full-time student
at BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School. He earned his BA in journalism
from BYU in 1996 and his MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University's
Medill School of Journalism in 1999. In addition to his studies,
Carter teaches undergraduate courses in advanced reporting and history
of mass communications at BYU.
1 Mark H. Willes, "What I Learned From Five
Years in the Newspaper Business," BYU forum address, 26 September
2000. Copy of speech text in author's possession.
2 William Glaberson, "Business Outsider Is Moving
in at Times Mirror," The New York Times, 3 May 1995, sec. Business,
1.
3 Willes, "What I Learned From Five Years in the
Newspaper Business."
4 Ibid.
5 Tim Jones, "Key to Times Mirror Merger: Ads,"
Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2000, sec. Business, 1.
6 Willes, "What I Learned From Five Years in the
Newspaper Business."
7 Keith L. Alexander, "CEO Leaves Company With Tarnished
Legacy," USA Today, 14 March 2000, sec. News, A6.
8 Many newspaper stories about Willes followed the
common storyline that because he came from outside the industry,
Willes represented a threat to newspapers. On the other hand, news
stories also included quotes from industry executives who praised
Willes for his vision, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. See
Felicity Barringer, "A General Whose Time Ran Out," The New York
Times, 15 March 2000, sec. Business, 1. As a rule, Willes appeared
to be a victim of a phenomenon lamented by former journalist and
scholar Norman E. Isaacs in Untended Gates: The Mismanaged Press.
Isaacs wrote, "[There is] a very old comment that most newspaper
people put out their newspapers not for those people who buy them,
but to try to impress other newspaper people" (p. 53).
9 Willes, "What I Learned From Five Years in the
Newspaper Business."
10 For a remarkable story about the beginnings
of a relationship between Kunitomi and Willes, see Howard Kurtz,
"Former Cereal Executive Is Giving the Newspaper Business a New
Perspective," The Washington Post, 02 December 1997, sec. Style,
1. Upon Willes' arrival at Times Mirror, he offered to eat lunch
with any employee who had an idea about how to improve the company.
Kunitomi, who conducts tours of the Los Angeles Times, took Willes
up on the offer.
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