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A FAREWELL TO QUALMS
Well, decision time for me has come and gone, and so I must announce my resignation from my position at ROA headquarters. A large and respected American company has offered me a position with tremendous potential and I have accepted the challenge. My tour at ROA has been wonderfully challenging and I think much has been accomplished.
My greatest regret is not being here to support our new national president, RADM G. Robert (Bob) Merrilees, USCGR (Ret.). His wisdom, sterling integrity, and strong moral framework are highly valued characteristics in a volunteer association leader. His just and inclusive management style is a positive incentive to bringing out the best in people. His loyalty to the staff is unquestioned and their loyalty to him is complete. He remains a good friend, and I remain at his and the association's disposal.
In the tradition of my predecessors, a lot of hard work has been done for the nation and the Naval Services Section over the last three years. I have had the benefit of some great leaders who were elected vice president by the Naval Services Section, starting with CDR Ed Brock and now with CAPT Mike Smith. I have been most fortunate to have leaders who permitted me my lead and capitalized on my experience and skills. In return, I have tried to exercise good judgment, initiative and creativity on behalf of the association. I believe that the Naval Services Section is the most adaptive and progressive in the ROA. I saw a willingness on the part of the Naval Services leadership to constantly improve the organization.
We are the only JOINT Service Section in ROA and we synthesize those various service cultures and perspectives seamlessly. And, because we are Joint, we have to satisfy issues, concerns and requirements by correlation, analysis and merit. Rather than satisfy any particular service culture, we hew to the ROA Congressional Charter to "ensure an adequate national security" with a comprehensive perspective born of diverse...