Legend Steps Down, Don Takes Over As CEO Of EdgeGamers

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EdgeGamers,

Over the last few months and weeks, I have been unable to lead in the way that I expect a CEO to lead this community. After significant thought and discussion with the Board of Directors, alongside Mike (Artimus), Matt (USCG Hammer), and Nick (Kendle), I have determined that it is time for me to step back from the role of CEO. This will allow the community to flourish without the obstruction of my personal time. Effective immediately, I will be stepping down from the rank of CEO and relinquishing (with full approval from the Board) all responsibilities to GardenGroveVW, better known as Don.

Over the last several months, Don has emerged as the true leader of this community, frequently offering invaluable opinions and insights that contribute to our success as a whole. Where I have been able to contribute on a day-to-day basis, Don has provided strategic direction and operational guidance. This represents a shift from an operational mindset to a systematic approach, at which Don excels. There is no one better in my mind to lead this community into the years ahead. We remain steadfast in our approach to making this the best, tight-knit community on the internet. Regardless of who is in charge, we will continue to forge ahead towards our greater goals while Don propels us towards our overall goal of being the best place to network online.

Many immediate questions arise regarding how we will continue to operate moving forward. Rest assured, I (Legend) have provided the Board of Directors with significant thoughts on what comes next. However, it is ultimately up to Don and his Community Management staff to determine our path forward. I have no doubt that Don will appoint only the best personnel to his team to write the next chapter in EdgeGamers history. I am excited to see what is adopted and who is appointed to ultimately lead this community.

Fortunately, I have been afforded the opportunity to join the Board of Directors permanently and will not be departing permanently from this team. I will join the ranks under Artimus, alongside Matt, Nick, and Ben, in this new position as a Board Member. While I relinquish all day-to-day responsibilities, I remain ingrained in the operations of this community and will not disappear permanently. I have made myself available to Don in every capacity moving forward to ensure a seamless transition, allowing Don to thrive and build the future of this community.

On a personal note, this was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever faced in my life. I care deeply about this community, as it has provided me with opportunities in both my personal and professional life. I simply would not be where I am today without the assistance of this community, and I am sincerely grateful for every effort made to afford me this opportunity. This is not goodbye but rather an expression of excitement for what is to come, alongside my fellow team members. This has been a long post, and I am sincerely grateful for what this community has offered me over the years. I am honored to work alongside such amazing and compassionate individuals. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Here's to Don and his greater success moving forward. I look forward to working with him in a different capacity, not as CEO, but as a member of the Board of Directors.

Thank you again, EdgeGamers. You mean the world to me. From the bottom of my heart - I love you all. Cheers!

Legend
Once Chief Executive Officer, now a member of the Board of Directors.
<3
 
Incredible person. One of my best friends. An amazing leader. EdgeGamers is EdgeGamers because of people like Legend. From our years in CS, then Minecraft, to Media Team. I enjoyed every second in EdgeGamers because of you.

Love ya buddy.
 
Legend Legend It was so evident in your voice that this was a deeply difficult decision. Your love and loyalty to this community is so clear. As someone who appreciates this community I'm extremely grateful to you and can only say thanks. We'll see you around in your new role. Good luck Don Don
 
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For my entire time here austin was the heart and soul of this community. He has done so much for the community and the people within it reading that announcement was genuinely hard. I cannot count the hours ive spent with him let alone within edgegamers. This is truly something i never thought I would see. Thank you for everything you gave all of us austin, every minute you put in brought us to the community we know and love, to say this community helped raise people is an understatement, the amount of friendships blossomed during your time will never be matched. You will always be a friend of mine, and many others.

Hope the future is as bright as the torch you carried
 
Austin's journey in eGO is the stuff of Legend (see what I did there?). The entire community has benefited and thrived because of his expertise and passion for gaming and this community. We are EdgeGamers because of him. It seems like only a sort while ago that he was brought onto the CM team, violating our age policy. Looking the other way proved to be the best decision, as he emerged to be one of the most impactful leaders we've ever had. The board of directors welcomes Austin and is thankful we will still benefit from his guidance.

It's an exciting time. Don is our leader now and he'll certainly have a differing approach. Let's all get behind him and wish him, and us, much more success.
 
We were extremely fortunate to have you, Legend, as a leader and example. We are beyond grateful, enjoy your downtime. o7
 
I wouldn't have stuck around if it hadn't been for you. Thanks for everything, I was happy to hear you were staying in some capacity on the board.
 
eGO is a unique and amazing organization that has made my gaming life so much fun. I am proud to be a member. Thank you Austin for making this possible by giving us your time, dedication, and generosity as a leader.
 
Wow, wasn't expecting that in the slightest hope you can enjoy retirement you've earned it, it was a very good run. I think everyone can appreciate the blood sweat and tears you've put into the community.
 
As someone who has worked side by side with Austin in the FiveM community from a roleplay capacity & LE capacity at one point, I have no idea how he was able to balance work, roleplay stuff and then leading EGO in its entirety. I was and still am constantly amazed at the amount of effort Austin had put into this community and I believe strongly how important he was to this community. And I'm certain I only know about half the effort he's put in.

Not to mention the amount of actual things I've learned from Austin that I still use in my day to day life I am still in awe of how he did it all, how did you do it all I wonder. Don't feel sad Austin, you were amazing!

that being said, Don is a fantastic pick for CEO, I don't know how he does it either, he was able to work side by side on the FiveM server with Nick, while he has kids and a job, I think the community couldn't be in safer hands, Good luck Don.
 
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To Austin,​

I joined EdgeGamers on Valentine's Day 2009 under the TF2 umbrella. I received my eG rank from a guy named ScrappyDoo, who, to my knowledge, is no longer with us. One day, I played Jailbreak on CS and got hooked. Soon after, I switched to CS, where you were the Divisional Leader at the time.

Fast forward, under Matt's guidance, you grew into other roles, and I grew into a Community Manager position within CS. Rewinding a bit, I still remember as a core memory the time you promoted me to eGO. It was during an eGO admin meeting; you pulled me in and promoted me in front of a bunch of admins right after I got out of the shower. According to MAUL, this was on June 26th, 2010.

You've been here for all my ups and downs. You acknowledged the lack of time to fully commit to the role of Chief Executive Officer, and not many people do that. That takes guts and courage. Thank you for that.

To Don,​

You are a fantastic leader. People will say what they will, but I have no doubt you will lead us into the next chapter of EdgeGamers. Long after I'm gone, you'll still be looking for ways to improve and make everyone's time here better. You believe in the vision of punk-free gaming to the highest caliber. I am proud of who you are and what you do here. Congratulations. You will do great.
 
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the end of an era

not what i expected to see when i came by to see the happenings post CS2

o7 austin, you were a real G, don's a good pick to lead things towards the future i hope eGO continues to grow and succeed
 
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