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WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — With great sadness, BMW of North America revealed late last week that one of its top executives died tragically while on vacation at his farm.

Executives said the company's vice president of marketing, Jack Pitney, was killed last Thursday.

"We don't have many further details to share with you at this time but wanted you to have the information as quickly as possible. As we learn more details, we will keep you informed," BMW officials shared.

The company previously indicated Pitney was to become vice president for BMW's Eastern Region, a 12-state area that encompasses 93 BMW and 24 Mini dealers and includes the New York metro area. His rise to role was to be effective Sept. 1.

Officials recalled Pitney joined BMW of North America in 1995 and has led BMW brand marketing, product planning and strategy activities since 2005.

"Pitney has a track record of positive results for the company and just last April, BMW was recognized as the most valuable automotive brand by the market research firm Millward Brown," officials pointed out.

Former Colleague Describes Pitney

Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com, previously worked together with Pitney. The pair was part of the public relations team for Mazda.

Nerad remembered that Pitney "was the master of the big hello. ‘Jaaaaaaccccckkkkkkk!' he would say, stretching the name we shared out into three or four syllables."

Nerad continued by saying "and at the same time he would lean back and look me up and down, as if assessing how the years were treating me."

The KBB analyst emphasized that Pitney "was not the prototypical back-slapper PR guy." Nerad elaborated about what made him successful at Mazda and BMW.

"Jack Pitney had an intense zest for life and a laser-like vision on what he wanted, no matter whether that was a public relations campaign, a marketing effort or even a brand," Nerad contended. "Jack was one of the key architects of Mini here in the United States, imbuing that brand with an intrinsic coolness that continues to set it apart to this day."

All of those memories brought Nerad back to when he and Pitney collaborated at Mazda.

"He wasn't always the easiest guy to work for," Nerad conceded. "I remember that he once suggested locking the doors on those who were late to a 7:30 a.m. meeting, but he was always clear about what he wanted. And what he wanted was the best possible execution of any project for the company he was working for at the time. 

"Lest you think he was a grind, you should also understand that his zest for life, his desire to enjoy good times with his friends, was just as strong as his quest for excellence in his work," Nerad went on to say. "Though he left us far too young, it is completely in character that he passed from us trying hard at something he had a passion for."