Goodbye, But Not Gone

Hey all,

If you haven't seen Andy's member center post, click over there and read it.

It's true. I'm leaving Epinions as the Community Liaison to a new start-up company that will allow me to further develop and enhance my community skills. It's not a competing website. I wouldn't have taken the job if it was.

I'm not going to be leaving the site though. I'll still consider this place one of my online homes. I'll write, rate, comment, contribute to message board threads, and try to keep an honest, even, and friendly tone wherever I go. I enjoy this site, this community, and the concept of writing reviews way too much to leave.

I will stick around officially as a message board moderator for the time being, helping out Meagan, EC Mark, and Bob. I can definitely help with some things, but I simply won't have time to be the go to guy when it comes to all things Epinions. For now, Andy is that guy. Please be patient with him. He's juggling two roles until my replacement is hired. But you're in great hands. Andy loves you just as much as I do. And Almar as well. He understands community like no other and truly gets "it". Pehr, Andy, and Almar are a great leadership team. Whoever my replacement is will just strengthen the core.

The engineers truly work their tails off. They are a small team, but everyone in that group is an all-star. Joel, Damon, Mariano, Vincent, and Diana (QA) really enjoy doing what they do for this website. I think Damon said it at the Meet and Greet. He simply wants to give you all the best site possible.

Please keep in touch. You know my e-mail address (it's on my profile). And let's continue making this site great, together as a community.

Thanks,

GG

It is going to take a while to digest this information. It is truly hard to believe. While you'll still be around, since I have started this site you were the go to guy. I hope you didn't warn Andy about me. :)

I wish you luck and good fortune in anything and everything you do.

Julie

Announced on my birthday too.

Garrett, I know you won't go far from us, but I'm possessive nonetheless. This is bittersweet for me. I know you'll be happy, but I also know you're impossible to replace.

Best wishes at your new job and thank you for your tireless dedication to the site. I hope the staff throws a huge good-bye party for you on behalf of the membership.

Meagan

Wow.

How sad for us. But how happy for you - pursuing other adventures. I wish you the best!!

Mona

I'm glad you're going to be sticking around on the site. We'll miss you being the "go to" guy, though. Congratulations on the new job. I wish you the very best!

Hey - you can finally earn IS and enter sweepstakes!! (right?)


Mona

I know I'm gonna miss you! Thanks for all the help over the years.

Best of luck in your new position!

Jeff

mods - I have unpinned this thread for the moment at Garrett's request. There will be a lot of activity here for the next few days so pinning should not be necessary, and might actually lead some folks to scroll right past the thread in the short term. We'll pin it once it dies down so that it doesn't fall off the page. Cool? Thanks.

I'm thrilled you are still sticking around the site. I would absolutely miss you if you completely disappeared.

But I am going to miss having you around as the go to guy. I have really loved knowing who to shoot an e-mail to if there was a problem. And your quick, friendly responses, even if it was "We know. Please be patient" were always welcome.

Plus there's the fact that we got to hang out three times in 9 months or so. Those were all a blast.

You've help me weather some tricky stuff here, and I appreciate it. I probably should have told you sooner.

Andy has no clue what he's in for until they hire your replace, does he? :)

Anyway, good luck. Fortunately, not goodbye.

Mark

Wow, this was pretty shocking. I'm glad you'll still be here with us, though. After all, you've been here for at least forever!

Good luck in your new endeavor!

Kris

I'll get my pinning satisfaction later, as you suggest.

Good luck, Garrett! See you around the site! ;>

Garrett,

You will be sorely missed. You sure did help me go from scared, unsure, easily hurt member to someone who has more confidence and is not scared to speak my mind. And there is so much more. You truly inspired me in so very many ways and constantly were there when I needed you. Your calm demeanor when I was "spazzing" really made me realize I needed to chill. (I'm working on it. lol.)

I will miss you being here to lean on but I know you will still be here as a friend.

Best of luck in the future. You'll do great!

Hugs,
Patty

Congrats on the new gig, GG!

Wow! Garrett, you and Andy have been very responsive (often beyond the call of duty) to member needs. I'm glad you're sticking around and I know Andy will do very well with his additional duties until your replacement arrives.

Good luck to you and Andy both.

Don :)

Oh my.

Someone sent me an email about this today, and at first I assumed it was a poorly timed April Fool's joke. I'm just stunned, and sad to see you go. I'm also really happy that you're off to something even more exciting for you, and wish you the very best of luck. And as long as you keep blogging AI, I promise not to pout!
;)

Thanks for all your hard work over the years. It surely didnt go unnoticed. I'm sure your experiences and hard work ethic will take you to new heights with your new career path. Best wishes,

~Ace aka Drew

In just the short time I've gotten know Garrett, I already know I will also miss him. Which is why I'll make every excuse I can to leave the office and go have lunch with him. =)

Good luck, Garrett! I wish you the best.

-Almar

That hat will look fashionable on you! I'm wishing you all the best and am glad you'll still be a valued contributor to the Epinions site.

~~ Dawn