PIAA president David Leach has submitted his official resignation letter from his role, citing ‘hate mail incidents’ and time demands as the reason behind his sudden departure.
The letter sent to members yesterday outlines his immediate resignation as both president and his board member position on the PIAA.
Leach says, “I am choosing to make way for the next generation of printers who have the vision, skills, energy and time to contribute to the industry, and encourage all members to continue to support the future PIAA Board.
“I am tremendously proud of the recent achievements of the Board and PIAA staff in commencing the new strategic plan to build a sustainable association, embracing the graphic communications industry and with an agenda to offer products and services to assist members in running more sustainable and profitable businesses.
“I look forward to a new era of changes and improvements to the Association, delivered with honesty and transparency, working with members, together, for common benefit. I wish remaining and incoming Directors and all PIAA staff every success.”
The resignation letter reads as follows:
Having served on the GASAA Board for several years and supported them in the merging of GASAA and the PIAA, I was, some 5 years ago, asked to join the Board of the PIAA. I accepted the offer as an opportunity to contribute back to an industry that I am proud to be a part of, and to serve.
As Board Directors we are unpaid volunteers who all bring our experience and passions to the table at substantial personal cost and investment of time and energy. Most spend hundreds and some thousands of hours per annum working to further the best interests of the Association and members.
However, as an owner of a business I am unable to continue to dedicate the time required in the role of President of PIAA.
I therefore regretfully resign as a Director of the PIAA and vacate my Board position, effective end of business Thursday 28th January 2016. This will ensure that any urgent PIAA matters can be attended to.
I urge all members to continue to support the current PIAA Board and Staff to bring about changes and improvements to the association with honesty and transparency, working with them, together, for common benefit. For some time now the PIAA and the Directors have attracted severe criticism from some of what it has or hasn't done. As Directors we are in possession of information that is confidential under law or is in process. As all business owners understand, not everything can or should be in the public arena.
However, there have been serious ‘hate mail’ incidents aimed at myself and my business. It is very regretful that this has transpired but I urge everyone to remember that everything can be improved – if we can work together rather than against each other.
I am tremendously proud of the recent achievements of the Board and PIAA staff in commencing the new strategic plan to build a sustainable association, embracing the graphic communications industry and with an agenda to offer products and services to assist members in running more sustainable and profitable businesses.
I wish remaining and incoming Directors and all PIAA Staff every success.
David Leach
January 25th, 2016
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