29 October 2006

Dear Readers,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter. I have had a wonderful career for nearly 20 years now working with the Yankee Fleet and for the past 10 years as the co-founder and director of CORE. I have come to realize that my life has changed in the last few years after getting married and keeping up with a house, two dogs, a large garden, a boat, and a couple of other organizations for whom I am a volunteer. CORE was not getting the attention it deserved from a director and, after much agonizing, I tendered my letter of resignation as the Chief Naturalist at the Yankee Fleet as well as my position as Director of CORE.

I have agreed to stay on the Board of Directors and also help with the website, so I will still have my toes in it - I'm afraid whales are permanently in my blood! I am pleased to pass on my two positions to a wonderful, motivated woman, Deanna Leonard, who most of you have come to know in the last few years. She will be assisted by another great leader, Sarah Podleski, who has been with CORE for two years now.

Thank you to all of you who have become more than members of CORE and passengers on the whale watch boat. You know who you are, and I cannot tell you how much I've enjoyed getting to know so many special people who all have just one thing in common: a sincere passion for whales and the ocean. That never goes away, and you'll still see me out on Stellwagen Bank as often as humanly possible!

Best regards,

Lisa Fox