Oct 04 2010
A Huge Honor: I Am Joining the Team at ABA!
This morning, I’m sharing some of the biggest, most exciting news of my entire life: starting November 1, I will be the new President of the American Birding Association! Kenn Kaufman broke the news here on his estimable blog. Here, too, is a pdf of a letter from ABA Board Chair Dick Ashford announcing the good news. I want to sincerely thank David Hartley at ABA and for his efforts to pull these communications together on short notice and under personally challenging circumstances. And as for Kenn, well, my gratitude knows no bounds.
So what’s next? I’ll be moving to Colorado Springs in a little less than a month! Liz will join me there soon after.
Both of us are so excited we can hardly stand it. Not to mention reeling at the thought of how we’re going to wind up our commitments here in Delaware and embark on a new chapter of our lives in a matter of weeks.
More information will be coming out soon. For now, I hope you’ll share my excitement and enthusiasm. And I hope you’ll join or renew your membership with ABA.
Good birding to all of you!
Congrats Jeff! Good luck in your new position! It’s been a long time since there was this much excitement around an ABA announcement with the word “president” involved.
Really looking forward to the ABA’s renaissance!
In my humble opinion, this is the best move the ABA could’ve possibly made. I understand that others in competition for the job were certianly able and estimable candidates, but it is easily seen from the comments flying around the web in the short time since this was announced – from Facebook to blogs, Twitter to e-mails – you have the full support, congratulations, and thanks from the membership – both existing and several who I know are now going to join.
Once again, congratulations!!!
Congrats Jeff! Lots of excitement going on here in Cyberspace a this great announcement!
Platinium Rolex is what the ABA just picked for their new leader!!
I’m so damn happy for you, the ABA and all of us birders that need your type of leadership!
Bill
Congratulations Jeff! What a wonderful new endeavor for you and a true asset for ABA!
Congrats, Jeff! I’ve been sitting on my renewal notice for a few weeks, but I will renew today. Looking forward to watching (and participating in) this next era of ABA history!
-Mike
Boing boing boing boing!!!
That is so awesome. How very, very exciting. I now have hope that ABA will flourish under your guidance. Congratulations on your new job, move, and a start to a new adventure.
Congratulation big time amigo!
We are so happy about this awesome news, you have a big challenge and we know you can do it, we will support you in every way we can…
Jeff you are the best!
Hey Jeff,
Three times in one week.
Congratulations and the best of luck! It looks like I finally have a really good reason to join the ABA!
Regards,
Howard
Congratulations Jeff! How exciting and encouraging. I hope you’ll love Colorado, I sure do!
Congratulations! You are the right person to imbue the organization with new life!
This is awesome. Congratulations. I am sure we will meet one day.
Good luck in your new role.
Cheers, Szimi
Cheering in Whipple! And I hear a faint cry of exhilaration from the jungles of the far East, down almost Under. Well done. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! Whoo–my head is reeling in empathy for the change coming your way. Let us know how we can help. Whipple’s not quite halfway, but we’ve always got a room for you!
Love,
JZ and BT3( in absentia)
Wonderful news! Congratulations Jeff. This will be great for the ABA and the industry. Wingscapes looks forward to supporting a more active and stable ABA.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Detroit Lakes, MN, Donald Morse Jr. . Donald Morse Jr. said: A Huge Honor: I Am Joining the Team at ABA! http://bit.ly/8ZJuRG [...]
[...] with the news that one of the most dynamic and charismatic individuals to ever tote a binocular, Jeffrey A. Gordon, has been selected as the next president of the American Birding Association. As one who has [...]
Bravo, Jeff!
You will need help to build a team effort at Colorado Springs and a network of ABA “cooperators” across North America. But, you’re just the person for the job.
Unfortunately, you also have an ABA Board dominated by some tone deaf members, those who have actually contributed to ABA’s decline over the past few years.
Still, I think your personal network, experience, and unique skills can overcome almost anything.
[...] New ABA President is… By Corey • October 4, 2010 • 4 comments …Jeff Gordon! Congrats to Jeff, who will be an able and awesome American Birding Association President. [...]
WOW! I could not be more excited for you, Jeff. You certainly deserve it and I look forward to your leadership. Shall we call you Mr. President now?
I’m very happy for you Jeff. Lead On!
Woo hoo! What fantastic news! No reflection on anyone else who was under consideration, but I’m delighted that you were chosen.
To celebrate, I stopped by the Cake Wrecks blog and picked out a little something for you:
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2008/05/comguads.html
That’s great news, Jeff!
Congratulations!
It was the bottom of the 9th and things weren’t looking so good for the home team after back-to-back strikeouts. Then, with a well-timed stroke of the bat, the ABA Board and search committee cracked a towering home run into the cheap seats. Many of faithful, who had been streaming towards the exits and glumly heading to their cars, were stopped in their tracks by the unexpected roar coming from those who had remained in their seats. Back they came, flooding into the stadium to witness the improbable comeback. If you haven’t already, please lend Jeff and ABA your support by joining or renewing your membership today. Congratulations Jeff, the ABA leadership has made an inspired choice.
Congratulations! Twitter was abuzz with the news earlier today, but I’m just now getting around to my Google Reader and, therefore, your blog. I’m sad to hear you’re leaving Delaware, but you must be so excited!
A wise choice and my sincere congratulations. The task ahead is enormous, not the least of which are getting back disaffected members from nearly a decade of neglect, and diplomacy will be needed to soothe an unhappy Staff. Lots of outreach is needed and the wall of separation between Board and Staff needs to be torn down as well as Upward Revew for the entire Staff. All aspects of the organization from the Board and the way it is functioning to the organization’s by-laws need to be reviewed and reformed. I sincerely hope that more of the membership will weigh in and assist and monitor the process of reform. After years of watching this organization wither on the vine, its nice to note a fresh fall breeze of optimism.
Delaware’s loss will be ABA’s gain. Huge congratulations and many thanks for being such a knowledgeable teacher and birding trip leader over the years.
I know your family must be so proud!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! Great opportunities and new challenges ahead of you! The ABA will definitely benefit from your expansive knowledge, experience, and creativity! As an ABA member, I’ll look out for the facilitation of what individuals can do to support ABA during this time of transition.
Greetings to Liz. I hope to see you again at N.R.B.F., WV next May!
So happy to hear this terrific news. Jeff, you will be just the breath of fresh air the ABA needs. Congratulations!
Congratulations, Mr. Gordon! As a relatively new birder, I didn’t know much about the ABA (aside from subtle rumblings of discontent here and there) but I can’t wait to learn more, become a member, and see how it evolves under your leadership. Best of luck!
A well deserved honor for you, Jeff. You will do a great job. Keep us informed about your career. Congratulations!
Wow, great news! Jeff, when I met you last spring — visiting with Denise Takahashi, and treated royally by you and Liz — I was dazzled by your knowledge and skills (ace birder, wonderful teacher, fine writer and photographer, great cook, perceptive about people) and by your generosity, warmth and humor. We’re very lucky to have you at the helm of ABA. All the best in this new adventure!
Wonderful news for you Jeff. Thanks for all the Lifelong Learning bird courses
here in Lewes Delaware when I could get in and not just be on the waiting list.
It has been a pleasure to have your expertise knowledge shared with us senior
citizens. A whole world of nature out there we may have missed while we
lived and worked in our careers. Thank you. Colorado will be lucky to have
the likes of you.
Congratulations, Jeff!
I met you at the Hotel Villa Blanca at the Los Angeles Cloud Forest in Costa Rica in May of 1998 on my first trip to CR. We were disappointed that there were no quetzales to be found there, but you were kind enough to suggest that we go to Cabinas Chacon in San Gerardo de Dota. Now, I have been back to Savegre Lodge on all of my ten trips to Costa Rica and Marino is a good friend of mine. Thanks for the tip!
As an ABA member, I’m certain that the shot in the arm that organization needs is you, so best of luck and let me know if you are ever in Scottsdale, Arizona!
Huge congratulations Jeff! All the best in 2001.
Uh…also 2011.
I think all of you ABA memebers would like this blog:
http://www.planetbirds.blogspot.com
check it out!
dear sir, being a nature lover and former dapartment of natural resources employee I feel the need to speak on banned kiteboarding @ Hereford inlet, NJ due to the bird watchers influence. our sport takes us many areas of state, federal, and local access. believe these
bans are unnecessary as there is no interference with nesting ares. our kites have been labeled “bird of prey” to the shore birds which do not take us more than 75′ from water’s edge. your input would be much appreciated
Congratulations Jeff from Grand Manan New Brunswick.
Durlan Ingersoll