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NOTAMs => NOTAMs => Topic started by: Nicola Felini on February 04, 2013, 09:15:58 AM

Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Nicola Felini on February 04, 2013, 09:15:58 AM
All,

Karl and I are pleased to announce Don Desfosse as the new Division Director for the VATSIM United States Division. Don should be no stranger to most. Don has served as a long-time Air Traffic Manager within VATUSA and has served as a VATSIM Supervisor. Don has some huge plans for the Division and some concrete plans on getting them done. I look forward to Don's success. Please join me in welcoming Don to the corner office. Please also join me in thanking Gary for all of his years of service and accomplishment.

Best of luck Don!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Pan Lalas on February 04, 2013, 09:47:54 AM
Excellent choice. Good luck Don!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kyle Chalk on February 04, 2013, 10:01:48 AM
Congrats Don, definitely a great choice!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kent Kasten on February 04, 2013, 10:33:16 AM
Sit on down, strap yourself in, and prepare for some amazing things to come. Congrats Don!!!  
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Michael Martin on February 04, 2013, 10:46:54 AM
Congratulations Don,  looking forward to working with you.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kevin Copeland on February 04, 2013, 10:51:53 AM
Congrats Don.
Excellent choice!

If I can be of any assistance to the effort please don't hesitate to ask.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Tom Seeley on February 04, 2013, 11:23:06 AM
There is absolutely no better choice for USA1. Very happy to see this selection. We spoke earlier today, but congratulations Don, and good luck!!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Bradley Tice on February 04, 2013, 12:12:21 PM
Quote from: Tom Seeley
There is absolutely no better choice for USA1. Very happy to see this selection.

Agreed completely. Congrats Don and good luck on the road ahead! If ZAB or myself can be of assistance don't hesitate to ask.


Bradley Tice
ZAB ARTCC EC
ZAB I1
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Brighton McMinn on February 04, 2013, 12:15:04 PM
Congrats! Excellent choice!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Matthew Bartels on February 04, 2013, 12:17:19 PM
There goes the neighborhood!

I was not expecting this selection and I could not be happier about it. What an excellent choice! Congrats Don.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Ryan Geckler on February 04, 2013, 12:23:51 PM
Congrats DO!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Florian Harms on February 04, 2013, 12:53:18 PM
Wow,
a great, strong choice, a very good decision

Don, congratulations.

Flo
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: James Nessen on February 04, 2013, 01:28:34 PM
Congrats Don!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Richard Ruminski on February 04, 2013, 01:36:53 PM
Congrats Don.  See me about your parking space.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Ira Robinson on February 04, 2013, 01:36:55 PM
Outstanding.  Just an excellent choice.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Don Desfosse on February 04, 2013, 01:52:29 PM
Team USA,

I am thrilled, privileged, humbled and honored that I have been selected to serve you as Director of one of the finest Divisions in VATSIM.  

Thank you all for the good wishes and the support.  I really appreciate that.  Thank you, in advance, for your trust, confidence and continued support going forward; I'm going to need that -- we all are -- so please make sure there's more where that came from.  

I'd like to thank Gary Millsaps for his leadership at the helm of VATUSA over the past 3 years (as well as his several years in his first tour of duty).  He brought a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership to the table, did an admirable job as Division Director, and then came back to do it again a second time!  As an ATM, I got only a slight peek into some of the behind the scenes work that goes on, and the amount of blood, sweat and tears, dedication and passion that Gary brought to the table is amazing.

One of the questions I asked when being presented this opportunity was what comments, suggestions and ideas the folks that expressed interest in the position had.  It was excellent to hear that the vast majority of folks were very much aligned with my thoughts and feelings; focus on an innovative and more-standardized training program, retaining talent at all levels, instituting a staff that will help move the Division forward, and growth were a few of the main themes.  It's incredibly important for all of VATUSA to align behind a common vision and move it forward.  These themes are my primary focus right now, and I anticipate plenty of feedback in the coming days and weeks that will help me know what our Division needs to focus on and what our priorities should be.

I also read (and re-read several times) the thread on the qualities that are needed, wanted and expected out of the Division Director.  The qualities listed in the thread are spot on; I have taken your input to heart, and will do everything I can to meet or exceed your expectations.

When this opportunity was presented to me last night, one of the things I was briefed on was the caliber of the applicants, so I feel good that there are a good number of very good people that were willing to (continue to) donate their valuable time and talents to benefit VATUSA and all of VATSIM.  I was also briefed that it was an extremely close choice between the top two candidates.  I asked two questions -- what was the deciding factor, and who was the other final candidate; I figured we could use all the strength that we could get to move the Division in the right direction as quickly as possible.  I love the fact that I was selected based on losing rock, paper, scissors!  At least it was the best two out of three....  ;-)  But I was glad to hear that the other top candidate is indeed a strong leader, and am thrilled to announce that Bob Carmona will be joining the leadership team as our Deputy Director.  Bob most recently served as the Miami ARTCC Air Traffic Manager, and led a team that continued Miami's fine traditions of excellence.

I will be, in the coming few days, asking for applications for those who would like to step up their game and contribute their time and talent in a staff role at VATUSA.  There is an old adage out there, and it is increasingly true in our world that seems to get busier and more complicated every day:  "Many hands make light work."  The more people that step up and volunteer their time and talents, the easier it is on everyone who is trying to make a positive contributions, at all levels of the organization.  It's also important to me not to "steal" so much from the ARTCCs to leave them without enough bench strength to continue on, but it's also important to all of us to have the right talent in the right role to work on making things better and more efficient for all of the ARTCCs.  The Division staff works for the membership.  Our role is to break down barriers and make life easier and better at all levels.  Nothing is ever perfect, but that's what this Division leadership will endeavor to do.  Given the right people in the right roles, aligned to a common vision and goals, we can and will do great things.

This is an incredible Division, infused with extraordinary talent at all levels.  Let's continue to develop that talent, nurture and deliver excellence and fun, both to ourselves as well as to everyone who comes into contact with VATUSA.  I look forward to working with this great team in my new role!



Don Desfosse
Division Director, VATUSA
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Mike Willey on February 04, 2013, 02:08:02 PM
After working with Don for several years I can tell you there is a lot of great energy, experience and attitude going into helping our hobby. There is no better choice for VATUSA.. Congratulations Don..
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Daniel Hawton on February 04, 2013, 02:12:33 PM
Congrats Don!  Can't wait to see what changes you have up your sleeve!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Nils Hoefnagel on February 04, 2013, 02:34:44 PM
Good choice.

Congrats Don! My team and I are looking forward to working with you in the director's chair.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Ira Robinson on February 04, 2013, 02:53:14 PM
Let me once again add my congratulations not only to Don this time but to Bob Carmona as well.  Having crossed paths with him before I know him to have a strong work ethic and a dedication to what we do that can only enhance the Division.

So congratulations to both Don and Bob, and here's to clear skies for the Division!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Charan Kumar on February 04, 2013, 03:02:06 PM
Congrats to Don and Bob, looking fwd to the new vectors this team is going to take us in.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Pan Lalas on February 04, 2013, 03:35:14 PM
Welcome to the Machine Bob!
What a great duet.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Davor Kusec on February 04, 2013, 03:54:47 PM
Excellent introduction! Congrats to you and Bob and look forward to what the future holds for the division.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Zach Spitler on February 04, 2013, 05:24:19 PM
Congrats Don!!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Michael Mund-Hoym on February 04, 2013, 05:34:44 PM
What an excellent choice! Good luck in your new position Don. Congratulations!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Dylan Lundberg on February 04, 2013, 05:36:35 PM
Congratulations Don! Couldn't have made a Better Choice!!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Michael Mund-Hoym on February 04, 2013, 05:44:28 PM
Congratulations also to you as VATUSA2, Bob! Well done!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Manuel Manigault on February 04, 2013, 06:02:20 PM
Congratulations Don and Bob!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Wesley Miles on February 04, 2013, 06:10:38 PM
Excellent choice in both spots.  Congrats guys!  I'm excited at the thought of pressing forward under your leadership!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Bob Carmona on February 04, 2013, 06:12:53 PM
Team USA,

Congrats to Don! I don't think a better person could have been chosen for our Division. Don brings a lot of experience and dedication to VATUSA. He has some great ideas and visions that  will help improve the VATSIM experience for all of us.

I would like to thank Gary Millsaps for his dedication and service to our Division. In my eyes, he always did a great job. In the many dealings with Gary I had, I always found him to be very polite and personable. I will always admire his dedication and passion to our hobby.

I am thrilled and honored to have been selected to serve our Division as Deputy Director. I feel VATUSA is the finest Division in VATSIM. I am very much looking forward to helping Don lead us into an even brighter future.

I don't think of the rock, paper, scissors match as a loss at all. I too was asked the same questions as Don was in regards to what direction I feel the Division should go. Though I pretty much already knew how Don feels about things, this confirmed it to me. Don has the same ideas and suggestions about our direction as I do. More importantly though, these are the same ideas that have been shared by many of the ATM's during a poll for qualifications of a new director. With that in mind, it seems that we are going to be off to a good start.

I have spent most of today knocking the dust off my desk. I have a new coffee pot and am now ready to get down to the business of helping to put our Division at the top of the game. As Don said, the first order of business will be to begin taking applications and filling the vacant positions in the VATUSA staff. Don and I both agreed that our number one priority would be to have a fully staffed and active Division staff. Our top goal is to make Division staff as accessible to members as possible. Immediately after that we will begin implementing ideas to make our Division even better. I look forward to working with all of the VATUSA staff and also to working with the many ARTCC members to make VATUSA the greatest Division in VATSIM.

VATUSA is a fantastic Division, we have an insanely vast amount of talent amongst our members. I hope to help continue to develop that talent to it's fullest potential.

I am looking forward to working in my new role and with the great team that is VATUSA!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Zach Hutcherson on February 04, 2013, 06:36:00 PM
Excellent choice for both positions!  I think the division has a very bright future with these two at the helm.  I look forward to working with you both!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kenneth Haught on February 04, 2013, 07:17:18 PM
Congratulations to both of you. Hey Don, you remember what I asked you the last time we spoke...guess my prediction came true eh? Glad to see the Division in such great hands!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Brian Pryor on February 04, 2013, 07:30:59 PM
Congrats guys!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kenneth Bambach on February 04, 2013, 07:46:45 PM
Wow!! Outstanding choices all the way around. Congrats to Don and Bob (sounds like a radio DJ show). I see good things in the future for the Division.  Thanks to both for stepping up to the plate
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: David Stone on February 04, 2013, 08:21:20 PM
Congrats, Don, and best wishes. Looking forward to what you have planned for us.

Gary, enjoy some time off. Best wishes in your future endeavers.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Mark Hubbert on February 04, 2013, 09:33:18 PM
Don and Bob Congratulations,  I am very pleased to see the two of you fill two very important roles.  I think combined as a team the two of you will take us to new heights.  It is awesome to hear that two great leaders are taking over the helm.  Good Luck and thank you for stepping up to the plate.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Kyle Schoen on February 04, 2013, 09:56:06 PM
Congrats, Don and Bob! VATUSA will be in good hands!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Alex Handsaker on February 04, 2013, 09:59:18 PM
Congratulations to both of you gentlemen!

VERY good choice VATNA team!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Nicholas Cavacini on February 04, 2013, 10:16:20 PM
Congratulations Don! Great choice and I can't wait to work with you!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Paul Biderman on February 05, 2013, 10:07:32 AM
Congratz guys!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Mark Bott on February 05, 2013, 12:20:29 PM
Congratulations gentlemen! Great choices for both positions!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas for the division. If there is anything I or ZNY can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask!

Good Luck Gents!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Michael Scott on February 05, 2013, 05:59:49 PM
Congrats Don on your promotion to USA1. I hope my new leader in Boston will be as good to me as you were . Bob, what can i say every time i get away from you here you are again.    Seriously tho Congrats on your new position as USA2. Both are great choice's and will bring this division into a new and wonderful era.
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Bob Carmona on February 05, 2013, 06:05:50 PM
Quote from: Michael Scott
Bob, what can i say every time i get away from you here you are again.

You can run but you can't hide!  
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Romano Lara on February 06, 2013, 05:54:02 PM
I see a brighter future ahead of VATUSA. Welcome to your new capacity, Don & Bob!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Jorge Rojas on February 10, 2013, 01:57:53 PM
Congratulations!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Salvatore Barcia on February 10, 2013, 07:40:18 PM
Excellent choice!!

Congrats, Don and Bob!!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Richard Bonneau on February 11, 2013, 06:40:01 AM
Congratulations to Don & Bob, and a big thank you to Gary for his dedicated service to VATSIM & VATUSA!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Don Desfosse on February 12, 2013, 12:40:47 AM
Thanks again, folks, for all of the good wishes you have sent our way.  It's now been a week, and Bob and I are still working in lock-step down our list of priorities -- fill the open staff positions, ensure an aligned HQ staff, then meet with the ARTCC staff to ensure alignment there as well.  Our medium-to-long-term priorities include working on our training system, ensuring a standardized, updated, and effective approach that all ARTCCs can take advantage of (if they so choose).  

We are working fast and furious to meet our goals.  Just so nobody thinks I packed it in, I leave next Monday for a week's vacation with my family, and will have very limited access to email (on my blackberry only) and no access to the back-room structure.  Bob will be sitting in the hot seat for the week, and is perfectly suited to do so.  That said, all the critical staff positions should be filled by the end of the month (some more this week!), we'll then have a VATUSA HQ staff meeting to ensure alignment, and then invite the ARTCC staff to do a meet and greet, and then get down to business planning out more progress for the Division.

A quick note on filling the HQ staff positions -- I am absolutely blown away by the caliber of the personnel who have offered their time and talents to move the Division forward.  I appreciate all the interest, and rest assured, the fact that selecting the staff will be a hard chore for Bob and I is a good problem to have -- we will have an outstanding staff leading us into the future.

Thanks to everyone who has noticed the momentum.  Let's keep it up!
Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Bob Carmona on February 12, 2013, 04:14:17 AM
I too would like to again say thank you for all the good wishes sent our way! The support we are receiving is truly inspiring.

I was very confident going into this that both Don and I have the same goals for the direction of our Division. After a week on the job, I am happy to report that our goals are starting to come to fruition. As Don indicated, our number one priority has been to get our Division HQ staffed with talented, productive members. We are well on our way to doing just that. I too am floored at the caliber of the applicants that are volunteering to help us move VATUSA forward. The final selections are going to be extremely hard to choose. It most likely come down to some more rock, paper, scissors matches to decide. The applicants are that good. I am very eager to finish the selections and have a meeting with a full Division Staff to discuss and lay out the road map to what I believe will be a very bright future for our Division.

Title: New Director of the United States Division
Post by: Ira Robinson on February 12, 2013, 12:45:34 PM
Damn, if you two keep communicating like this I am going to have to start reading the forums regularly again!