Posted by Thomas B in Questions for the Candidates - Why?
Hello,

I am surprised at how quickly nominations have appeared, hopefully, that is the sign of well-prepared tickets. Though, so far no campaign-hq-written-a-week-in-advance posts have popped up, so I guess it evens out.

For Presidential nominees:

1. Why? Why on Earth would you want to be President?

This is a fun one and I think is probably the question I most looked forward to! Thanks for asking it!

I want to be President of STF because I feel that I have the background, knowledge, and experience to make an impact for the future of a club I have loved since first joining in 2005. With the exception of a short break, I have been a member of the club total over 12 years and spent around a decade in senior-level service to either my RP environments as XO & CO and more than a few goes at Acting GM, as well as in government with several stints as FCOMM, and time as the second (I believe) Supervisor of Experiments (SOX) over X-Fleet.

I bring over Real-World experience both educationally and professionally, having served in management for nearly 20 years and hold a leadership-focused Bachelors & Masters degree. Further, I have almost 20 years of nonprofit and organizational leadership experience.

1. What do you plan to do with your term, if you win?

Work within the system to allow new members in each of the FCOMM slots, young qualified members to be shored up by experienced AFCOMMs that each have former stints in command of Fleets. The QDirs I want to draw from the ADirs and move current Dirs down to ADirs, ideally with each being first timers. When I leave office, I want a slate of experienced folks that can take what they learned and continue to impact the club’s future long after I’m gone. Most significantly, while I have my goals for the term, I want my Cabinet to develop their own. Once those are in place, I fully intend to assign duties needed to accomplish my goals for the term and then I’m going to do something revolutionary… I’m going to leave them alone and let them do their job! Each will have been hired and therefore trusted to manage a part of the club. And if their part is doing what is needed to keep the club healthy and what I need to accomplish my goals, I intend to support my chosen leaders to accomplish theirs.

Importantly, I pledge to do the following:
1) Never interfere with the selection process of ship Command staff. It is the FCOMM’s job to select Captains and I will NOT impose my will or push a particular candidate. As the Executive, I serve the club as a whole and by moving to name a personal selection, I feel I would be violating the trust of being an unbiased leader.

2) Further, unless demeaned absolutely necessary, I will NOT decomm ANY ship in the Fleets. Our RP environments are the foundation of our club and I have no intention to play hatchet man.

3) Whether as a formal Board of Admiralty or as a personally selected “Privy Council”, I will call upon the collective knowledge of the Flag Officers to make certain that my actions are well advised. Leaders don’t lead in a vacuum and every leader before me has something they can teach me about the office of President.

4) Finalize a means by which successful X-Fleet ships can be brought into the Main Fleets.

1. Why did you select your Veep candidate?

I trust James explicitly. We talk through text & over the phone a lot and I consider him a dear friend. There’s something about laughing with someone over a great onion burger that builds a connection few can appreciate. We can also debate, argue and bicker like an old married couple and still be tight friends when the dust settles. Having someone like that in your corner opens your eyes to new directions and opportunities, which is why I thought he would be a wonderful choice as my Veep.

1. Describe your style of collaboration with your Veep.

Cold and brutal honesty. We both come from law enforcement/military backgrounds and in the famous line by FDR in Pearl Harbor, he “don’t have time for bull**** and neither do I!” When there’s an issue or a challenge that comes up, we face it head on. Trust is incredibly important.

I hope that answers your questions!

Thanks,
Jerome

For Veep nominees:

1. Why? Why on Earth would you want to be Vice?

2. A solid team is critical for the Prez & Veep. How often do you talk with your counterpart on the ticket, what is your relationship like?

3. Describe your style of collaboration with your Prez.

Thanks,

-Thomas B
–Gone so long I had to double-check my rank