?
?Hello world.
Last week the Creative Coast community responded to the news that Fitz is moving on
Fitz and I sat across from one another in the Creative Coast office wondering what would happen, who would respond, and how. We were overwhelmed by the positive energy and messaging that was shared.
Its cliche I know, but in business as in life, hard decisions have to be made, and we both appreciated all of the well wishes, both public and private.
Well, many hard decisions have been made, and quite a few things have changed.
When I moved to Savannah nearly four years ago, my objective was to setup two businesses with my wife and business partner, Miriam.
And we did just that.
When we were thinking of moving here we met a crazy long haired guy wearing socks and flip-flops. He smoked and used antiquated handheld devices.
He was our introduction to the Creative Coast and we were hooked.
The website, the colors, the logo, the stickers, the coasters, the talk It was the complete package of influence the madness that was (and is) this 100mph community development organization.
Here we are, 3+ years later.
This past summer I was asked to join the transition team and help the Creative Coast move into its next phase.
The transition team worked diligently over the summer and addressed many of the key issues facing the organization.
The final objective of the transition team was to appoint a board to oversee the Creative Coast. The board was appointed, and in September, I was hired as the Executive Director.
We are moving forward with confidence and excitement. We will harness the energy, style, creativity, and love for community from years past.
We have new leadership and autonomy. We are planning this move in a fiscally responsible way, focusing on building an organization that can thrive alongside the community that we serve.
I am excited! I am, after all, a product of the power of this organization. In the end, Miriam and I moved here because of the Creative Coast.
We moved here four years ago, in great part, because Mayor Otis Johnson told us to talk to a pony-tailed wild man who then in turn introduced us to five people who blew our minds. We moved here because we were convinced that this was one of the coolest, most engaging, and exciting communities in the country.
Here’s what I have learned, after four years of living here: The Creative Coast often generates the tangibles that other organizations market, without receiving the credit.
I have learned in the past six months that the Creative Coast community is more engaged and passionate than I first gave them credit for. They react, retweet, forward, friend, respond, call, text, fax, and shout more than any group in the region.
It is now my job to harness that communal voice and keep us moving forward.
I am excited to be a part of this movement! I am committed to growing and shaping this organization as we move toward new growth and opportunities, all while being fiscally responsible.
Over the next eighteen months you will see many changes as we reshape and grow like a startup, just like many of you in our community. Change can be hard but to me these growing pains aren’t discouraging. On the contrary, they are exciting!
Our boots are strapped and we are ready to take over the world.
To pay tribute properly, Chris, Fitz, Brynn, Jamie, Leigh, and the other past staffers, we thank you for laying such a strong foundation. To the visionary partners of the past, SEDA, Chatham County, City of Savannah, and the other funders, your investment and commitment will not be wasted, it will flourish!!!
The board and I are honored to represent the Creative Class, and we will work everyday to make sure that this is the best, most exciting, innovative, and engaging place to live and work in the United States.
See you soon.
Jake