With appreciation and grand optimism

[LouBruno]

It will be all uphill from here and maybe the journey will be trying at times but I know the MSUS community will be supportive. The product is second to none.


I wish MSUS good luck with the future and I wish the best for Chet who is an outstanding individual and is still present to teach and instruct our group and always will be part of our family. As Jim Meeker says,"this is the kindest group on the internet" and we can all work together helping each other.

So, Eric welcome once more to our very close community

I'd like to address some of the concerns raised here. Yes, no longer having Chet as an employee is painful, all the more so for me. I hired this amazing man 9 years ago, and thrilled to have him on a "larger stage" as I told him at the time. I love Chet ... I'm a huge fan of his. He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, humble, thoughtful, committed, quietly passionate, and intelligent. He's top shelf all the way through, and having him around, knowing he was here all these past years as I was away, was comfort indeed. How he's handled himself in this difficult time speaks even more loudly about the depth of his quality. They say if you really want to get to know someone, divorce them. Well, I can tell you I've seen a side of Chet I didn't want to view, and it's remarkable.

To those here who believe our service will suffer, I take that as a personal challenge. Methinks you're wrong, but I've got to prove it to you day in and day out. Our connection to Germany is strengthened by my return, as Jorg and I have a 20 year friendship and business partnership. We've been speaking for hours many days these past weeks as this transition has unfolded. I've watched the staff here in Boulder reinvigorated, re-energized, revitalized ... even in this difficult time.

To those here who believe I've made a mistake ... maybe you're right. Yet the options were limited. And maybe I'm being pollyannish, but I think Chet's still a part of the family, still integral, and will be for a long time to come.

And should I be wrong about our revenue numbers, should we do more than I'm conservatively projecting, I've no problem at all admitting I made a huge mistake. I'll get on my knees and beg Chet to return as an employee. And we'll video it and post it ... cream pies included.

Eric Kloor

[CliffHawkins]

Mr Kloor:

I have not had the pleasure of getting to know you as so many others have. I am sure in time that we will get to meet you and get to know you as we have Chet. By the way thank you for hireing Chet so many years ago. It looks like we will have the best of both worlds. You back in the saddle and Chet with the time to develope the training that he did not have the time to develope before. Yes change is upsetting but many times change takes us somewhere better where we would not have gone on our own.

I look forward to seeing what great things are on the horizon both with MSUS and Chet Davis. We are a Cassie family maybe at times a little to much like a family with the hurt feelings expressed at times. I appreciate your attitude of taking the critisim as a challange to prove to all of us who could not emanigine MSUS without Chet being possible. Yesterday I felt that way. I now feel optisistic about the greatest line of Video Editors in the world. I know you want MSUS to be succesful much more that I could ever want. Even though I really do wany MSUS to succesful.

Looking forward to what the future holds. Maybe we will see you at a Casablanca event in North Texas that Cam Audio has sponsored in the past. I always enjoy traveling from Duncan, Oklahoma to Dallas for all things Casablanca.

Cliff

[CasablancaExpert]

I am grateful for the kind words of appreciation here on this forum, those who have sent me emails directly and for those posting on my GuestBook on my new website: ChetDavis.com. It's these thoughtful comments and well wishes from folks that cements my decision to remain involved with this community!

While I honestly was surprised and less than thrilled at the news I received last Monday about my impending unemployment - I have to say that I am now totally excited at the opportunities in front of me! And yes, I do believe that in my new role with the Casablanca product line - I am likely to be of more benefit to you, the end-user than in my previous position.

This may sound a bit like a madman, but I had a conversation with Eric Kloor yesterday and mentioned my appreciation for the opportunity he gave me 9 years ago - to join this company, to have learned all I have, to have had all these experiences, and most importantly to have built the rich relationships I enjoy with both resellers and customers. I also told Eric that I am grateful to now have the awesome opportunities that lay at my fingertips... If you take a look at the business model of my new company you can easily see that my success is closely tied to the success of Casablanca. I have hitched my wagon to this horse and sure as shoot hope it does well!

Now Eric - for that last scenario... frankly my vision for 2009 is such that I would accept the opportunity to hear your proposal - but I envision on being so successful that I'd rather continue being allies than an employee once again

Here's to mutual success to both MSUS, Casablanca and the Casablanca Expert!

Sincerely,
Chet

[BobNaughton]

First Birdy, and now Chet ? The heart and soul of Macrosytem. Your departure from Macrosystem will be like watching a Laurel & Hardy movie, but without Laurel or Hardy. The honeymooners with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney written out of the script. The original Star Trek with no Mr. Spock.

Chet you have been there for all of us through these last years. As the consumate salesmen of Macrosystem Products, The teacher who taught us how to use it, The traveler who spent many hours traveling all over the country to bring the Casablanca line of editors to new video professionals. You wore many a hat at Macrosystem, and you wore them with pride and dignity. I have had many a post answered by you on weekends, holidays and late at night. When other Vice presidents wouldn't have even thought about answering them. You have solved many an editors problems with your straightforward answers laced with your own style of humor. You have taught us all how to be better editors, and shown us which software would improve our skills even further. I am sorry to hear you are no longer "an employee of Macrosystem" but thrilled to know you are continuing your role, as the Casablanca expert. I wish you well, and will definetly keep an eye out for your training webinars.

[pdjohnson]

We met Chet at a seminar in Columbus, Ohio when he and his family were doing the tour of the United States in his motor home. He was the only source we could find to give us any instruction in our newly purchased "Avio Pro". The company from which we purchased the machine, offered no technical assistance at all and this seminar opened a new world of editing to those of us who had a limited technical background. We have always been impressed by Chet and the accessibility he offered to all of us. If we had a problem, he would be at the other end of the phoneline. We have learned so much from him and appreciate his expertise and friendliness. We are looking forward to seeing you at the March Get Together, even if in another capacity, and talking to you, one on one, as you have always done for those of us who still have so much to learn.

[TimKennelly]

Welcome back Eric,

I have never met you or even talked to you in person, but I have heard many good things about you from Jörg over the years and he is one who's opinion I greatly respect.

I do hope you lead MSUS to such great success and profit that you are forced to bring Chet back on board to help you cope with the increased business aspects.

While you have been away Jim Meeker took a page from the WEVA conventions he and I atttended and created an international get together in the center of the USA that occurs each year in March and so is aptly named the March Get Together.

MGT 09 occurs March 9-12th and Chet is hosting his announced special two day seminar just prior to the opening of MGT 09 on March 8-9th.

While the current economy will no doubt have some negative impact on MGT 09 I know many solid Cassie users have already committed to go, including myself.

Jörg has made it every year as well and will be there again this year.

Can we expect to see you there as well?

[Martyn]

Chet, your notoriety even transcends the pond. Having had the pleasure of meeting you at the March Event and enjoying your presentations, I can only echo the thoughts of others that MSUS have lost a treasure. I'm sure all in the the UK who know of you will join me in wishing you every success in your new venture and hope that there may be some international cooperation to look forward to in the future.

Martyn
Dalco uk

[CasablancaExpert]

...and hope that there may be some international cooperation to look forward to in the future.
Martyn
Dalco uk

Hello Martyn,

Yes I certainly hope that I may also continue/become a resource for Casablanca customers no matter what flag they live under. For starters, I know it is a bit late due to the time zones - but any of our colleagues in the UK (and elsewhere around the planet) are more than welcome to participate in my Casablanca Webinars. The first Webinar is set for this Thursday 1/22 - you can read more here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/986648704 .

Sincerely,
Chet

[LarryMcHugh]

Losing Chet at the helm does concern us when we knew we could count on him. I decided to buy the original classic after talking to Eric at WEVA some years ago. I was upset when Eric left and wondered about my purchase and future of my editor back then. I am glad to see Eric back and feel good about his return, but it hurts to see a man like Chet having to take on a different job. I personally am doing video full time do to my departure from a company of 30 years. We were bought out by another company and my job with to Orlando, FL. I stepped into a new venture of videotaping and editing because I felt I had the skills I needed do to the support and knowledge that I received being a MS client. People like Eric and Chet actually gave me the faith that I could make it in this world of video. Chet doesn't know it, but I learned so much from him. I actually make a living now from the knowledge that Chet has provided to me and so many of us. Chet I know you will be OK at anything you do. You are a gifted person that everyone likes you and employment will never be a problem for you. I was mad and upset when it happened to me, but now I really see it was a blessing in disguise. Yes your new role will benefit us as users and we are thankful. Thanks for staying connected to us. Chet you rock!!! Good luck.

P.S.
I will keep a couple of cream pies in stock should Eric need them.

Larry McHugh

[TomHajewski]

Chet, I want to register my disappointment, too, that you are leaving MSUS. I have learned so much from your presentations at WEVA and the March Get Togethers. I really enjoy your humor and your knowledge of the products.

As others have already said, this is really an opportunity for you. Most people don't know what they're capable of until pushed to do it. I know you'll have very much fun starting your own business and your work ethic will lead to great success. It's clear from all the comments on this BB that you'll have a lot of support!!

Good luck, Chet!! I look forward to seeing you in Davenport in your new role!