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<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Dear
Colleagues,</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<br style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">On May 18
Jake Griffiths left NGS to assume a new job at the U.S. Naval
Research Laboratory. Jake was the IGS Analysis Center Coordinator
since the beginning of 2012 during which time he and NGS conducted
one of the most important functions within the IGS. Jake did an
excellent job, improving the quality and consistency of the orbit
and clock products in close cooperation with the Analysis Centers
and the Coordinators of the reference frame and clock products. He
coordinated the reprocessing effort, kept the essential ACC web
site up-to-date, represented the IGS at various scientific
conferences and journals, and much more. It is the fate of any
institution that capable persons find other challenging
opportunities. I wish Jake </span><span
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">all the best
and much success in</span><span
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> his new job .</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<br style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">NGS is
confident that it can maintain the production of the standard IGS
orbit and clock products. However, without an experienced,
full-time ACC some of the other functions of the ACC may no longer
be performed. NGS will continue to work closely with the IGS and
the other Analysis Centers to address any issues that it may be
able to help with. We are working to have a solid solution in
place also for the non-routione ACC tasks.<br>
</span>
<div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br>
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">On
behalf of the IGS I want to thank NGS for the continuous strong
and professional support received by our Service since 2008. The
manpower, expertise, and computing resources made available
allows the IGS to serve its users with highest quality orbit and
clock products. I also want to thank NGS for the large effort
made to rapidly identify a solution after Jake's departure and
to guarantee a smooth transition to our new ACC. The engagement
of NGS is highly appreciated.</span><br
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<br style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Sincerely,</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Urs
Hugentobler</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Chair,
IGS Governing Board</span></div>
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