Board of Governors Gunnar Lindahl 111 Posted February 7 Board of Governors Share Posted February 7 Mark Richards retires from VATSIM Board of Governors It is with bittersweet feeling that the Board of Governors announces the retirement of Mark Richards from VATSIM’s Board of Governors after a long career serving VATSIM in various roles. Mark has spent the last 24 years as a member of VATSIM and previously SATCO staff with his most recent role as Vice President – Operations; one he has held since 2015. Prior to this appointment, he was the regional director for the former Oceania region and chair of the Executive Committee. Early in VATSIM’s history, Mark played a vital role in creating new divisions within the Oceania region. In 2001 he was a founding member of the VATPAC division, serving as their first division director. He founded another division six years later in his home country of New Zealand, again serving as the first division director. Since joining SATCO in 1996 and then VATSIM in 2001, Mark has accumulated over 8,000 hours as a pilot, 1,800 hours as a controller, and 1,600 hours as a supervisor. Over 11,000 hours in total connected to VATSIM! While Mark is retiring from a long career as a VATSIM staff member, he does not intend to part ways with the network entirely. He is excited to continue to fly and control on the network while remaining a mentor for new staff members in his home division of VATNZ as well as around the world. Please join us in congratulating Mark on his tremendous career serving VATSIM members and wish him well in his future endeavours on VATSIM! There will be further news regarding the appointment of a successor in the coming weeks. On behalf of the Board of Governors 10 2 1 GUNNAR LINDAHL President [email protected] Link to post Share on other sites
Board of Governors Gunnar Lindahl 111 Posted February 7 Author Board of Governors Share Posted February 7 Mark, You and VATSIM are, in my head, one and the same, and it won't be the same without you. Thank you for both your professional support, as well as your personal support as a friend. Looking forward to that flight, and another beer in NYC! GUNNAR LINDAHL President [email protected]sim.net Link to post Share on other sites
Manuel Manigault 3 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Congratulations Mark on your retirement! I'm happy to read that you will still be contributing to VATSIM through flying and mentoring. Manuel Manigault Division Director VATUSA Link to post Share on other sites
Kieran Hardern 24 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 (edited) Mark I've never been one for posts like this, however having your thoughts, support and friendship has been special. You already know my thoughts of your value over years before I arrived, to years after I left the BoG. Best wishes from a VATSIM intern by comparison to your contribution. Edited February 7 by Kieran Hardern Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy Shiffman 18 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Mark, your contribution to the network has been colossal over the years and you have always provided sage counsel when asked. Thanks for being there for both the network, and the individuals who continue to enjoy it. No doubt the gold Rolex is on it's way, mate 😉 Link to post Share on other sites
John Golin 10 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Wow you kept giving far longer than I could! Back to enjoying the network - without the work. 🙂 John John Golin http://www.worldflight.com.au Link to post Share on other sites
DEBMALYA SEN 17 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Congratulations Mr Mark Richards on your retirement. A wonderful journey of yours that will keep us motivated on the network for years to come. Best wishes from Vatsim India. Link to post Share on other sites
Al Tang 5 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Mark, thank you for all your great work to the community all these years. Hope to continue to see you in the VATSIM sky! Alfred Tang (934809) Director | Hong Kong VACC Link to post Share on other sites
Chriss Klosowski 135 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Mark, thank you for all your efforts and great work for the community within all these years for VATSIM. I hope to still see you around within our skies! CHRISS KLOSOWSKIDivision Director, VATSIM Middle East & North Africa VATSIM Network Supervisor, Team 5 [email protected] http://vatsim.me/ Link to post Share on other sites
Nestor Perez 85 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Sad to see Mark go. He's definitely played a vital role in the network's progress throughout all these years. Thanks for all your hard work! Néstor Pérez A Random Platypus [email protected] Link to post Share on other sites
Mattia Torti VATEUD2 4 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Thank you for all the hard work Mark, definitely won't be the same as you played a vital role in VATSIM's past and present! Hope to see you around online, till then stay safe and keep the spirit! 🙂 MATTIA TORTI Division Deputy Director Network Supervisor [email protected] [email protected] Link to post Share on other sites
Andreas Fuchs 342 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 A well deserved break from staff roles. Mark, you have been instrumental to VATSIM's success by providing a mature approach to things, by continuity. See you in Auckland when we are allowed to travel the world again. And don't forget to go for that flight in Christchurch! 1 Cheers, Andreas Member of VATSIM GermanyMy real flying on InstagramMy Twitch streams of VATSIM flights and ATC Link to post Share on other sites
Board of Governors Anastasios Petros Stefopou 9 Posted February 8 Board of Governors Share Posted February 8 Dear Mark, It is sad to see you go. It has been an amazing journey, a great experience to work by your side. You have been an asset for VATSIM, huge contributor, a great guide always happy to assist and always encouraged us to be the best versions of ourselves. Your name is synonym to VATSIM, it won’t be the same without you. You are a gifted person and you will be deeply missed. Thank you for your endless support, your guidance and your friendship! See you online, flying or at the scopes! Warmest Regards, Anastasios ANASTASIOS STEFOPOULOSVice President | Asia Pacific Region [email protected] https://www.vat-apac.comspecialists.vat-apac.com How to become a Supervisor? Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Cooke 19 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Mark I have sent you a private message but I had to comment here also. A perfect example of a perfect member. So wise and approachable. You provided me with much support when I was Oceania RD and I was very grateful for that. Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy the network without the pressures. I wish you well in your retirement and thank you for all you have done for the network. Alan Cooke Last ever EC Chairman Link to post Share on other sites
Raihan Shahzad 15 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Thank you Mark for your great contributions towards the community and the Vatsim, hope to see you flying or controlling on radar. Raihan Shahzad Division Director VATWA1 VATSIM West Asiavatwa.net | director[at]vatwa.net Link to post Share on other sites
Phillip Speer 0 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Thank you for all your work and dedication to the network over the years. You have always been friendly and approachable. Best of luck for your retirement. Phillip VATSIM UK Divisional Instructor Link to post Share on other sites
Njeri Carroo 0 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) On behalf of the Kingston FIR, thanks for your wonderful stewardship, Mark! Edited February 8 by Njeri Carroo Kingston FIR ATM Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Oliver 21 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Mark, VATSIM without you will not be the VATSIM/SATCO that I have known for so many years. A shame to see you go, but hopefully not the end of keeping in touch at far ends of the globe. Thanks for your contributions to the network for all these years. Cheers G 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Noah Perlman 0 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Congrats on your retirement! Link to post Share on other sites
Fritz Eisler 2 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Kudos Mark! Been instrumental to a lot of good developments for the network . . more time now to enjoy the network . . ! Greetz, Fritz Link to post Share on other sites
Deon Mathews 62 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Thank you Mark for your contribution to the network and your willingness to assist wherever possible. Enjoy your retirement and I'm looking forward to welcoming you to the South African airspace sometime soon!! Deon Mathews VATSIM Marketing & Communications Team Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Sweeney 28 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Mark, Thank you for all you have accomplished and for being a terrific friend these many decades since our earliest days with SATCO. You have consistently represented the best in VATSIM, and I can't begin to tell you how much you have been appreciated. You have been a remarkable influence, and always in the best possible way. Looking forward to keeping in touch, Mike Mike / 811317 Link to post Share on other sites
Joel Richters 1 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Thank you Mark. I'm looking forward to seeing you fly some more. I'm wishing you the best mate. Joel Richters Link to post Share on other sites
Dallon Pereira 8 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Thank You Mark, for all you've done for this Network. VATSIM is what it is today because of your colossal contribution and dedication. Hope to see you in the skies. Cheers! Dallon Pereira VATWA7 - Director, Events & Marketing VATSIM West Asia Division [email protected] www.vatwa.net Link to post Share on other sites
Thomas Hensel 0 Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 All the best to you and thank you for your enormous effort! :) Link to post Share on other sites
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