In Loving Memory of Jack Robert Clough II

Jack Clough founded The Staging Department in 2008, following more than 30 years in the audiovisual and live production industry—a career he began before even graduating high school. From the very beginning, Jack demonstrated an unwavering commitment to personal growth and excellence. Even while working for others, he consistently took the initiative to advance his skills and knowledge, never losing sight of his dream to one day build a company of his own.

The Staging Department was founded on Jack’s integrity and core values. He was dedicated to providing clients with exceptional white-glove service while maintaining fair and transparent pricing. Clients quickly became more than business partners; Jack had a rare ability to turn every professional relationship into a genuine friendship.

While it was clear that The Staging Department was well suited for the live production industry, it was equally evident that the industry was perfectly suited for Jack. He embraced every aspect of the work, especially travel—often arriving early at the airport simply to watch planes take off. Jack personally attended the vast majority of productions, knew every client by name, and made a point to meet with them before and after each show, greeting them with a firm handshake and, more often than not, a warm hug.

This passion and personal investment allowed Jack to continuously find creative ways to grow the company. Always looking ahead, he was never satisfied with standing still. He embodied the philosophy of going the extra mile and instilled in the team the principle of “gratefully doing what it takes.”

Time and again, Jack proved that people matter. He showed deep respect for every client’s needs and carefully selected a dedicated team that shared his work ethic and values. Together, they ensured that client expectations were not only met, but consistently exceeded. Jack worked closely with both clients and team members to deliver productions that left audiences and partners truly delighted. For Jack, success was measured by the smiles on his clients’ faces.

Jack leaves behind not only a company, but a lasting legacy—one where striving for excellence is a responsibility and building long-term relationships is the ultimate goal. Though he is deeply missed, we will continue to honor his values as we move forward. His impact remains the foundation upon which we will continue to build, until we are all soaring through the clouds.