NEWS FLASH!

Finally, the news can be shared. Many have suspected this would happen. Some already know. But, at Cathy’s request, I’ve had to keep quiet.

There was a long period when the situation was delicate. Conversations were ongoing and the outcome uncertain. Even when the decision was made, the news had to be carefully guarded. Cathy had to control who knew what, and when.

Cathy is back in Portland this week to go public with the news. She’s meeting with her staff there and cleaning out her office. So now I can announce: Cathy has been offered and accepted a permanent position at NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Headquarters Office. Early in 2011 we will make our move from Portland to St Petersburg permanent.

This is of course a huge event for us. We both love Portland. Cathy and I met and married there. We have many good friends there. We’ve made two great homes together there: the house in Northeast, and then the downtown condo. But now we both have exciting new opportunities here in St Petersburg. We’ve made some new friends here. Together we will make a new home here.

It is our most sincere hope that old friends from Portland will come to visit us, enjoy the weather of west-central Florida, the attractions of the Gulf coast, and go out sailing with us.