Long-serving Amsat treasurer steps down

In a mid-December, 2009 letter to the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors, AMSAT-NA's long-serving Treasurer, Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, announced his intent to step aside from that position effective December 31st, 2009.

In his letter to the Board, Gunther cited personal business pressures and his wish to spend more time with family as reasons for his decision.

"It is with regret that I find it appropriate to tender my resignation from the position of Treasurer of AMSAT, effective December 31, 2009", Gunther said.
"I have enjoyed the my involvement with the largest brain trust in amateur radio. The people I have had the opportunity to work with have truly given me much more than I have contributed. Together, we have moved AMSAT
through some difficult and exciting times and I am sure the present leadership team and Board of Directors will continue on a positive path over the coming years," he concluded.

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, accepted Gunther's resignation with deep regret. In an official statement, Barry noted that, "Guenther's work has been an invaluable asset to our organization. His "unseen hand" has
left a very positive mark on all of our financial operations. During his time as an AMSAT board member (2003-2009), his strategic vision and focus on bringing greater financial management to AMSAT and improving the organization's fund raising were extremely valuable.

"As Treasurer (2004-2009), Gunther took the lead on having AMSAT recognized by the federal government's Combined Federal Campaign, instituted the voluntary reporting system to document the value of AMSAT volunteer hours, established a published Annual Report to be shared with potential large donors, converted AMSAT to QuickBooks for maintaining our accounts, and revised how AMSAT values its in-orbit assets. He will be sorely missed and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors," Barry said.

The AMSAT by-laws state that, "In event of the resignation, death or incapacity of any Officer, the President shall appoint a temporary Officer to fill the vacancy until the next meeting of the Board, at which time the Board shall elect a successor."

In keeping with that directive, Barry has asked former AMSAT President Keith Baker, KB1SF, to fill the position of AMSAT Treasurer until the Board can name a permanent replacement. Many may remember that Keith served AMSAT
throughout the 1990s and early 2000s both as a BOD member as well as Executive Vice President before taking a turn as President from 1998 until 2000.

It is expected that the Board will meet in early January via
teleconference to formally elect Keith to fulfill the current term that expires in October 2010.

Prior to his work with AMSAT, Keith was a USAF comptroller officer until his retirement from the service in 1993. Among his many assignments during his Air Force career included tours on the comptroller staff of the (then) Strategic Air Command (SAC) as well as Base Comptroller for Aviano Air Base in northern Italy.

Much of the rest of his Air Force career was spent at the Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he successfully implemented a number of emerging automated project management concepts into a wide variety of ongoing USAF aircraft development and modification efforts worth several billion dollars. Following his retirement, Keith established a management consulting firm, working with clients in both government and industry dealing with project and personnel management.

"Needless to say, I'm honored to once again be asked to serve AMSAT in a official capacity, and I will do my very best to carry on Gunther's excellent work," Keith said. "Gunther has very clearly left the fiscal processes and records of AMSAT in fine shape and I look forward to building on the firm fiscal foundation he has now created for our organization," he concluded.

Barry offered his personal thanks to Keith for accepting the position until the Board of Directors confirms a permanent successor. "I am very pleased Keith is both willing and able to once again donate his time and many unique talents to AMSAT. Keith's ability to provide solid financial oversight and counsel to the Board on financial matters based upon both his professional experience and knowledge of AMSAT are welcome, and I am looking forward working with him as a senior member of our management team", Barry said.

ANS, Barry, WD4ASW