This is one of the hardest choice I've ever had to make in my life.

If you haven't heard yet, I'm leaving HP and taking a job in Seattle.

I always knew that a time would come when I may have to make this choice but I never dwelt on it much. I chose instead to put my head down and work harder.

When I first started TechBoise people used to ask my why I was doing it? What were my goals? I assume they were looking for some sort of business plan or something. My answer was always the same, "To build a thriving tech community."  I saw a need, a gap, in the local tech community and thought I had a way to fill it. I never set out to position myself as the poster boy for the next generation of tech in this town. I never set out with any intention of personal gain. I just knew that this was a valuable cause and the the reward would come as a result of the journey.

I can tell you that aside from my family, the experiences I've had over the last 2+ years with TechBoise have been (and probably always will be) some of the most rewarding in my entire life.

But there comes a time that every successful cause grows beyond the capabilities of the original leader. TechBoise is bigger than me. It is poised to truly become something great, but it needs you.

Several people I've already "broke the news" to have been kind and said that I'll be leaving a gap in the local tech community. If that is true it is only because I've been hogging the space. Now is your time. The worst thing that could happen is that someone steps up to fill my place. Boise doesn't need 1, 2 or even 10 tech "leaders". It needs hundreds. It is my hope that everyone reading this steps up their efforts.

Tech is huge. There are so many opportunities for each of you to take a leadership role in this town. And I promise you that you will never regret that decision.

As far as this blog and the monthly event go, they will continue on. Some of the people who have been helping me have volunteered to step up and do more.  While several more have volunteered to also help out. More posts will be coming soon about all of that.

I have left Boise three times in my life. Three times I've come home.  The Boise River and the dirt from the foothills run through my veins and if past performance is any indicator of future results then I'll be back at some point.

Leaving this time is by far harder than the other times. Simultaneously it is also the easiest. It's not like (thanks to social media) I'm not going to talk to you any less. If you haven't already make sure to add me on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. You can also subscribe to my other blog.

April 29th will be our next TechBoise event. It will also serve as my going away party. I hope you can make it. More details to follow.

What becomes of tech in this valley is now (and always has been) up to you.

[insert sound of dropping microphone here]