Changes in FIRST Management

[dlavery]

Posted here on the FIRST website:

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April 30, 2010



To: The FIRST® Community

From: Walt Havenstein, FIRST Chairman of the Board

Subject: Management Transition



I would like to offer my genuine thanks to you all for another successful FIRST® season. All of FIRST’s four programs enjoyed another year of strong growth, despite a very difficult world economy. People seem to know what is important, even in difficult financial times.


FIRST President Paul Gudonis has led the organization through five, very successful seasons. FIRST teams have grown from 8,000 to 19,000 world wide. Two new programs have been introduced and new initiatives have made FIRST’s flagship program, the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®), more cost-effective. Paul has decided that he has accomplished many of his initial objectives and that this is a good time to transition to new management at FIRST. Accordingly, he recently submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2010.


The Board will quickly engage in a search for a worthy successor. As needed, Bob Tuttle, Board Vice Chairman and Treasurer, will be available to assist in any transition.


Please join me in thanking Paul for his dedicated and successful efforts in advancing the cause of FIRST.

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