George Brown, ASE Senior Vice President, began at ASE 20 years ago to work on a grant project. Normally, once a grant ended, we would have to let go of the employee handling that work. But George was different. I had to find a way to keep him. In just two short years, he had become an integral part of ASE and a leader. Thankfully for ASE, that lasted for the next 20 years. Now, as we said at his retirement party last week, the Legend is retiring. George retires July 15th.
I congratulate my coworker, work-husband, part-time priest, part-time therapist (I can’t tell you how often he has talked me off of the ledge. In fact, my husband is not the least bit happy George is retiring!), on his retirement.
As my work-husband he could read my mind – calling me after a meeting when it didn’t go so well – letting me vent for what could last an hour.
George has always been a shining light at ASE. Even his voicemails were always upbeat! I could give him anything, and he would handle it. No complaining, no “I have too much to do”, he just did it. I don’t think he had many bad days in his 20 years here – and if he did, he didn’t show it.
George is a born leader, gaining the respect of everyone he encounters. I never dreaded going into an employee meeting with George. He has brought tremendous knowledge and maturity (not in his age) to ASE, and he was always prepared for a meeting – engaged and smiling. I knew if he had a problem, he also had a solution. What manager doesn’t love that?
Over the years, George had several responsibilities at ASE, and he did them all with great care. He managed several team members and made quite an impression on them. He expected a lot, but he also gave a lot. He was a true leader and mentor.
George will be greatly missed here at ASE. Besides the quantity and quality of work he produced, he is truly a great human being, and I am blessed to have worked with him for so long.
As far as ASE, no one can replace George. Some of his duties will go to other staff members, and we will back fill some positions. Please reach out to Nickolas Corrado for new member recruitment, conferences, and sponsorships; Sara O’Sullivan for questions regarding your dues; and Linda Olejniczak for your research questions.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at [email protected]. If you’d like to reach out to George to bid him farewell, he can be reached at [email protected]. After July 15th you can find him on the golf course.