STO Community Manager BranFlakes transitions to new role with Perfect World.

"Hi Captains,

Before I start, I would like to preface that the delivery of this message is something that I have been selfishly postponing for a couple weeks now. I have been dreading writing this as it is one of the hardest things I have had to do while working here; however, this is not a goodbye, but it is a "see you around".

First, I would like to convey how much this community, you all, mean to me, and how much the game and the Star Trek Online Team has influenced and played an integral part in my life. Words are hard to describe how much passion I have for this community and game. Next to my family and friends, STO is one of the most important things to me. As you all know, I have been playing since Closed Beta, well before working here, and I have been a fan of the Star Trek franchise since I was a child. This game has brought so much into my life and being able to work on it has been a dream come true. When I started Priority One Podcast back in the game's launch year, I never dreamed that I would actually end up getting here, performing in an official capacity for the team. It was one of those dreams that I always thought about, but thought I could never turn into a reality. Well, I can attest that you should never give up on your dreams. Being your Community Manger since November 2011 has been a dream come true, and I always told myself that I would be okay if this is what I did for the rest of my life, as I felt it is what I was always been meant to do.

A couple weeks ago, I was asked by upper management to step into a new role. Because of my work here on Star Trek Online, and the feedback you all have provided about me working with you, has enabled me to take this next step. Starting tomorrow, I will be transitioning into Community Team Lead for all of Perfect World Entertainment. I will be responsible for and managing all of the Community Managers and Community Management Specialists on our various games, working with them to take our communities to the next level. Due to this, unfortunately, it is not possible to continue my role as Community Manager of Star Trek Online (unless we can figure out a way to add 24 more hours in the day, of course). It is with mixed emotions that I share this with you as in one way it is an amazing opportunity, and in the other way it means that I will not be working directly on the game any longer or with you all. With that said, I still will be playing a role in the Community and game, but in a way that will not be as visible.

So what happens to the Community Manager position for STO? Well, I am excited to let you know that our very own CaptainSmirk (Trevor) will be taking over my role -- you can read his original intro post here from when he first joined the team. He has been playing the game since Closed Beta as well, and I would even say that he knows the Star Trek IP even better than me (he can come up with the best references on the drop of a dime)! He will be stopping by in a few days to talk about his new role. Of course, I will also be working with him to transfer everything (hence the transfer of command code) into his purview. He will still be doing the same great initiatives that I worked on (sharing tons of blogs and news, chatting with you all and answering your questions here and on Facebook and Twitter, Livestreaming, community events, working with our partners and podcasts, and much more. He is going to do amazing and I am very excited that he is going to be in the Community captain's chair. We are very lucky to have him.

The great thing is that moving into this position means that this is not a goodbye. I am still here and STO will always hold a special place in my heart. That will never, and could never, change. The position I will be taking on will be a little bit different; overall, I have oversight of everything STO community related. I will still stop by the forums and chat with you all as time allows. Additionally, I will still be on Twitter and of course will still be in-game playing and adventuring in the final frontier with you all. You cannot keep me away from STO.

So, to summarize for those of you who (which, admittedly, I would not be offended by) did not read this wall of text:

TL;DR: I love you guys; Star Trek, this game, and the team mean everything to me; I'm moving into a new role as Community Team Lead for PWE; CaptainSmirk will be moving into the Community captain's chair; and this is not a goodbye.

I will see you around the galaxy, and may you live long and prosper.

Computer, transfer all community command codes to CaptainSmirk. Authorization: Beta 3 Delta 3.

Cheers,

Brandon =/\="

Quote by Baothezar

I wonder if the new manager is a homo