Thank You, Board of Director, Greg Klassen

In 2009, when I was toying with the idea of starting a nonprofit, I knew I needed someone who had actually started and ran a business, or preferably, multiple businesses. Having had a career in technology and always working for a business, but never starting something like this from scratch, I knew I had no idea what I was doing. And looking back now, that is quite the understatement.

After starting The Ember Cast, I invited Greg Klassen the join the Board of Directors. Greg's two daughters had traveled with us pre-Ember and through our interactions, I had nothing but the highest level of respect for him and his family. Greg and his wife Vicki were two of the most ardent supporters for student missions our church community had ever seen and Greg had started and ran multiple technology companies. My respect for him grew even more after getting to know him even better through his board activities with Ember.

Seasons change and there will be times when board members want or need to be invested in different things. As of last week, Greg has decided to step down from the Ember board. I am incredibly grateful for the 5 years of service Greg has devoted to Ember. Some of his accomplishments include:
+ Seed funding at the very beginning to get some of our operations systems and budget in order.
+ Strong enthusiasm for Ember purchasing Directors and Officers insurance and getting us connected with a local insurance agent. Insurance issues were lost on me and because of his enthusiasm for this, I am much more serious about insurance. I still strongly counsel other nonprofit leaders to purchase this insurance.
+ Multiple conversations with me about working on the business not just in it.
+ Making me think long and hard about the 'unique business proposition' - what makes us unique and why we exist.

I'm immensely grateful for Greg's investment in my life, not only as a business founder but as a father and husband. Thank you Greg - you have marked human history.

Photo: Catalyst West Conference, April 2009, Orange County, CA.