VATUSA Forums
NOTAMs => News => Topic started by: Don Desfosse on August 23, 2016, 09:03:50 PM
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It is with bittersweet emotion that I announce the retirement of Tom Seeley from the role of VATUSA Deputy Director, effective September 1, 2016. Tom has been my right hand man, voice of reason, partner in crime, and a very, very good friend to me, to VATUSA and to VATSIM during his tenure as Deputy Director, and I will miss him and our fireside chats very, very much. I've let him know about a million times how much I'll miss him and that the welcome (back) mat is always out. Or kinda like Motel 6 -- we'll leave the light on for him.
I am pleased to announce that Ira Robinson will become our Deputy Director effective September 1, 2016. Ira's most recent assignment has been as a VATSIM Membership Data Audit Manager, and he has previously served as the ZNY ATM. Ira is knowledgeable, reasonable, approachable and a really good guy, hard qualities to find wrapped up in one package on VATSIM. He will serve us well going forward; we continue to be in good hands.
Please join me in wishing Tom well in retirement (and encouraging him to come back and reignite his passion for VATSIM sooner rather than later), and congratulating Ira on his new role.
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Farewell, Tom! You will be missed. Remember, keep the blue side up :)
Congratulations, Ira! The position is well deserved.
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Tom, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication over the years. We appreciate all you have done for us as a division and look forward to seeing you on the scopes and in the sky!
Ira, congrats and good luck in the new position - you'll do a fantastic job.
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I don't believe that Tom will be gone long. Sort of like a moth to a flame...you will be drawn back in ;) In any event, thanks Tom for all your efforts and work in making Don look good, lol!! I know he appreciates it ;) And we all appreciate what you have done for the Division during your tenure. Hope to see you back soon.
And Kudo's Mr Robinson! What a great choice :) The Division continues to be in good hands with Ira as the back up. But I do hope that Tom left some of his liquor cabinet stash behind. Your probably going to need it at some point. Hopefully Don told you that already ;) Tally-Ho!
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Tom, I am sorry to see you leave VATUSA2. Thank you for your voice of reason and your contributions over the past years. Here is to wish you god speed for all your future endeavors.
Ira, what should I say... congratulations! Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
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You know VATUSA2 has done a good job when the director's head is still screwed in place. Thanks to Tom for his dedication to VATUSA over his term.
All the best to Ira, the right man for the job!
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Tom, thank you for your incredible dedication to our hobby over the years. I'm sure you will be sorely missed around the VATUSA camp!
Also, congratulations to Ira on the new position. I'm sure it'll be an adventure!
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Tom, thank you for all of your contributions to VATUSA and VATSIM!
Congratulations Ira!
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Tom, your dedication and commitment to the betterment of this hobby will be deeply missed, and I wish you the best in your retirement.
Ira, Congratulations! I know that the division continues to be in good hands, and I look forward to working with you.
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Thank you for everything you have contributed to our Community over the years....we are truly loosing one of the best. I wish you well.
Ira....congrats!!!! The perfect choice, and I look forward to seeing you in your new position!!
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I am with Don in saying this pains me to see. I recall very fondly working through the challenges a new ATM faces with Tom when I took over ZAN 'lo those many years ago. I hope to see you popping around Tom, and for heavens sake some open a bottle of beverage with us in the wilderness sometime!
A huge congratulations to Ira, and frankly I don't think you could have done better with your appointment Don. It's great to see such great people leading VATUSA forward through the day-to-day!
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Sorry to see you go Tom, but Don knows how to pick 'em. Congrats Ira!
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Thanks for all your dedication over the years, Tom!
Congrats Ira!
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Well there goes the nieborhood :P
Thanks for all the time you have dedicated to VATSIM and VATUSA Tom. Wishing you the best
Welcome to the fun house Ira.
(Don throws barbecues every Friday behind the HQ building so if you see smoke...don't call the fire dept.)
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Congratulations Ira. Best wishes Tom!
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(Don throws barbecues every Friday behind the HQ building so if you see smoke...don't call the fire dept.)
Darn sight better than before we got smart.... I used to throw barbecues INSIDE the HQ building.... and the Fire Dept came often.... Until I rewired the fire alarm control panel to just call Hubbert's office and cell phone and let HIM decide if it was worth calling in the real Fire Dept (or if we were just going to get in more trouble)..... :D
Your vTaxDollars at work! :D
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Thank you for your time committed to VATUSA Tom enjoy your retirement! Congrats Ira let me know if Don burns the burgers!
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Remember, the fire alarm is actually just a cooking timer! Thanks Tom and congratulations Ira!
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Tom, sorry to see you go. Ira, congratulations.
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Sad to see you go Tom! Good luck in your endeavors and enjoy retirement.
Ira! Congrats an excellent choice!
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Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. It's been a good run, six years as a VATUSA staff member, and it's just time for someone else to take a crack at it. Now I'm looking forward to being just another regular member of the VATSIM system. I'm confident Ira will do an even better job than I did, so VATUSA is in good hands. 8)
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I was waiting for Tom so he would have the forum to himself if he wanted the time and space, but as usual I see that he is still a man of few words. That being the case I will put away the retirement speech I was going to give and simply remind you that his are pretty big shoes to fill, and so I am not even going to try. But those big shoes leave big marks in the ground and I will try to walk the walk following in the pattern he left behind.
So thank you for the well wishes. I already know some of you and hope to meet and work with all of you soon.
Ira
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I am late with my response; my apologies. Tom, it was truly an honor to work with you, your advice when sought was always spot on and you always provided a truthful and honest answer when I had a question. I will truly miss you. I certainly wish you the very best and thank you for the support that you always gave. I am satisifed that Ira is a good replacement but I do not expect him to fill your shoes, I don't think that there is anyone who could do that. No disrespect intended to Ira. Ira is certainly well qualified and will have his own shoe mold to develop, I am confident that he will do well and look forward to working with him. In the meantime, I look forward to hopefully seeing you at the before mentioned backyard Barbecue's at Don's (Fire alarms have been updated so that I can deactivate them via an app from my phone). Please stop by my office whenever you can, there will always be top shelf bourbon at the bar. Best Wishes