The legendary baseball manager, Leo Durocher, is credited with the saying, “Nice guys finish last.” There is some truth to this observation as some of the qualities associated with hardened ambition and achievement may be unattractive but useful. It is refreshing, then, to reflect upon the extraordinary innovations, accomplishments, and leadership of an individual whom no one would categorize as anything other than a nice guy, John Denstedt.

“Nice guy” is a vastly insufficient descriptor for John. He has an understated presence but one quickly learns that is simply a reflection of his confidence and ability. He doesn’t have to try to impress you with who he is because you will figure that out for yourself quickly. I remember when I first met him a number of years ago. I knew him by reputation but not personally, and I was immediately impressed that he was someone who knew how to get things done and to get others to follow. Rarely is someone as well regarded as a clinician, surgeon, a researcher, an educator, and one of the most significant leaders in our specialty. John is all of those things.

John has done an amazing job as Secretary of the American Urological Association. His steadying hand and level-headed acumen helped guide the organization through the COVID pandemic and also spearheaded the successful reemergence of the Annual Meeting after the pandemic eased. Putting together the program for a meeting of that magnitude is an enormous effort made even more daunting by the necessity to make changes on the fly. John’s calm demeanor and ability to adapt to changing circumstance were essential.

A prime example of John Denstedt’s creative leadership is this publication, AUANews. One has only to look at a current or recent issue to see the changes that have occurred to make it an essential piece of reading for any urologist. He has expanded the content and made it inclusive of concise and insightful clinical data while also conveying essential information about the business and practical aspects of the specialty. Having recently completed my term as Editor of The Journal of Urology^®, I can fully appreciate the thought and effort he put into this publication. John was constantly working to see how AUANews could help its sister publications, including The Journal of Urology^®, but also developing it as an independent periodical with its own valuable content. AUANews is poised for even better things in the future because of where John has brought it.

As mentioned above, “nice guy” doesn’t do it for John. Everyone likes him, respects him, admires what he has done and, most importantly, who he is. We all benefit from his work, and I am proud to call him my friend.