After a great deal of reflection, I have made the difficult but necessary decision to resign as the SVP of Growth for ECC. I’ve not taken another position somewhere else and have no specific immediate plans. Nonetheless, this is the appropriate time. My last day will be August 1st, the last day of Zcon4.
This has weighed heavy on me. As my wife put it when we discussed my decision, “there is nothing else you’ve ever done that has been this important to you.” That hasn’t changed. I will not walk away from the project.
I believe in Zcash and remain steadfast that it is both good and necessary for a future that protects human dignity, consent, security and financial freedom. I intend to remain an active and vocal community member as there are contributions that I would like to make to the project and community that would not be possible as an ECC employee.
It has been my great honor to work for ECC, on Zcash, and on behalf of you all these last five and a half years. It is the most consequential work of my life. I want to thank Zooko for giving me an opportunity and investing in me. I have learned much from him and will be forever grateful. I’d like to thank my current and former team members at ECC, who have inspired me, and have made me a better leader and person. And finally, a big thank you to this community for both challenging and encouraging me as we’ve been working together toward the collective future we know can and should be realized. I’m grateful and humbled by you all.
Thank you for all you’ve contributed over the years, Josh! Your love and commitment was a big inspiration to me when I worked at ECC. It’s a tough decision for sure, and I’m excited to see your future contributions.
It’s been such an incredible journey working with you at ECC. I have no doubt wherever your path leads next, you will be making the world better on the way.
If that includes Zcash stuff, we’d benefit so much! No obligations, though, you’ve already done so much! Do keep in touch, though. <3
We’re all Zcash, you and me. We are all part of the tapestry of what Zcash is and what it will be. No stitch more important than another. We’re hand in hand.
And also with the people building and inventing at ECC and Zfnd and ZCG and QEDIT and you, and all the other places building and educating. Such amazing people. And the people fighting in DC and on Twitter with sincere motives, and a right and pure mission. We’re rich.
It’s not an end for me. I just decided to stop taking a paycheck from ECC in exchange for my work on Zcash. There’s great freedom in being loosed from strings.
We’re all part of something new, an inception, something not measured in days or a couple of years, but in the decades and centuries to come. People overestimate tech and underestimate heart. In the end, its perseverance that wins out. Those able to endure the weather because they are rooted deeply in fertile soil will stand firm in the end. We will win. We must win.
It will be good to see you too David. I’m looking forward to it.
You are a gem @nathan-at-least - a quirky, sometimes-exasperating, brilliant, kind, wonderful, and principled gem. I am going to miss working with you day-to-day.
Adding to the chorus of feedback… it has been a pleasure working with you over these last months… even with all of the external pressures that seemingly hit from all sides, you’ve been steady voice within ECC that will be sorely missed. I wish you the best in wherever the winds of life may take you.
This is a huge loss for ECC but a huge win for Zcash. I can say with all sincerity that @joshs is one of the best leaders I have ever worked for and with, and I would do so again in a heartbeat. The hours and dedication that he put into Zcash while at ECC were unmatched by anyone else.
I would love to see an organization in support of Zcash form under his leadership and strongly encourage the community to consider something like this during the next dev fund discussion.
Josh, you have been a pillar of the Zcash community for such a long time. You have done so much for Zcash more than the community will ever know. Thank you for everything. I hope you stick around.
