Frederick Russ
Founder Emeritus
Thank you to all the members who have reached out to me about the situation at VI Control. I really appreciate your kind words and thoughts. I also appreciate everyone’s patience in allowing me time to process the situation and reflect on some of the recent postings from some members who were critical of some of my actions regarding the business operations of the forum before I publicly responded.
Yes, I am in discussions with Mike Greene to take over the leadership of the forum and hope to make a formal announcement shortly. I’ve known Mike for over a decade. He is an honorable, likable and trusted long-time member of the forum, with creative and business experience in our industry. To those who have encouraged me to forge ahead, please know that I am negotiating this sale not to run away, but because I believe it serves the highest good. I plan to continue some involvement, but not in the administrative and day to day decisions on how the forum is run. I will never abandon the forum or any of the members I’ve come to love. Nevertheless, I strongly believe Mike is the right person to help heal the divide and to assure that the forum goes forward regardless of whether I am a part of it.
While my vision for VI Control has not been made known to every user, every member and non-member visitor has had a chance to grow and learn at VI Control, and that was the purpose and original vision. We have a strong community, even if the tone of some of the recent postings was personally disappointing for me.
I have done a lot of soul searching regarding my own actions. Have I been 100% right in every decision regarding VI Control? Was it the right thing to do to try to expand the scope of VI Control? Was I wrong to invest in a proper office as headquarters to run day-to-day business for VI Control? I acknowledge that I have made mistakes. In investing in a physical office, my intention was to create a headquarters for VI with real staff. These expenses were not things members asked for directly, but they were a step on the way where I wanted to take VI Control.
While of course as the founder and owner of VI Control, I had the right and in some sense the obligation to try and realize the vision I had for the forum, in retrospect, I certainly agree that my business skills were lacking. Nevertheless, I can say in good confidence, that I invested toward VI expansion, for example, spending thousands of member donated money on a professional graphics and website contractor to help create a better home and forum for composers. VI Control also donated heavily in charity sponsored events, once a year to Felice Mancini’s organization, Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation, to the tune of at least $14k over the last three years to help support disadvantaged children needing instruments for music education. Please note that I paid for tax agreements monthly directly out of the money I got from advertising.
In any event, the forum will go forward with your support. It will be in good hands, and I will be working with the new leadership to ensure a smooth transition. Stay tuned.
Yes, I am in discussions with Mike Greene to take over the leadership of the forum and hope to make a formal announcement shortly. I’ve known Mike for over a decade. He is an honorable, likable and trusted long-time member of the forum, with creative and business experience in our industry. To those who have encouraged me to forge ahead, please know that I am negotiating this sale not to run away, but because I believe it serves the highest good. I plan to continue some involvement, but not in the administrative and day to day decisions on how the forum is run. I will never abandon the forum or any of the members I’ve come to love. Nevertheless, I strongly believe Mike is the right person to help heal the divide and to assure that the forum goes forward regardless of whether I am a part of it.
While my vision for VI Control has not been made known to every user, every member and non-member visitor has had a chance to grow and learn at VI Control, and that was the purpose and original vision. We have a strong community, even if the tone of some of the recent postings was personally disappointing for me.
I have done a lot of soul searching regarding my own actions. Have I been 100% right in every decision regarding VI Control? Was it the right thing to do to try to expand the scope of VI Control? Was I wrong to invest in a proper office as headquarters to run day-to-day business for VI Control? I acknowledge that I have made mistakes. In investing in a physical office, my intention was to create a headquarters for VI with real staff. These expenses were not things members asked for directly, but they were a step on the way where I wanted to take VI Control.
While of course as the founder and owner of VI Control, I had the right and in some sense the obligation to try and realize the vision I had for the forum, in retrospect, I certainly agree that my business skills were lacking. Nevertheless, I can say in good confidence, that I invested toward VI expansion, for example, spending thousands of member donated money on a professional graphics and website contractor to help create a better home and forum for composers. VI Control also donated heavily in charity sponsored events, once a year to Felice Mancini’s organization, Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation, to the tune of at least $14k over the last three years to help support disadvantaged children needing instruments for music education. Please note that I paid for tax agreements monthly directly out of the money I got from advertising.
In any event, the forum will go forward with your support. It will be in good hands, and I will be working with the new leadership to ensure a smooth transition. Stay tuned.
