Paul Shay Resigining as Executive Director of FIRST

[Ricky Q.]

Posted on www.usfirst.org today

http://www.usfirst.org/about/news/ANN050503.htm


TO: The FIRST Community,
FROM: John Abele, FIRST Chairman of the Board


I would, first, like to offer my genuine thanks for another successful FIRST season. The recent FIRST Championship in Atlanta was our largest ever, and a direct result of your commitment. Our volunteers, teams, mentors, sponsors, and staff have helped FIRST continue to grow and develop.

For any rapidly growing organization, change is essential and inevitable. FIRST is no exception. With that in mind, I am writing to tell you about an important organizational change. Paul Shay, FIRST Executive Director has tendered his resignation, effective June 1, 2005. Given, the outlook for the organization’s future, Paul has decided FIRST would be better served by a new Executive Director.

In the interim, until a new Executive Director is named, Bob Tuttle, a member of the FIRST National Board of Directors and its current Treasurer, will serve as the Interim Executive Director of FIRST. Steve Chism, FIRST's Senior Director of Programs, will be responsible for day-to-day coordination of FIRST's activities on a full-time basis, reporting to Bob. Although Bob's involvement will be part-time, he will be readily accessible to Steve and other FIRST staff.

Paul’s tireless efforts and commitment to the goals of FIRST have led to the continued growth of The FIRST Robotics Competition, and FIRST LEGO League. Under his initiative, an inaugural FIRST Vex Challenge demonstration tournament and a pilot Junior FIRST LEGO League were just successfully completed. The Board of Directors and all FIRST supporters thank Paul for his significant contribution.