A Letter from the Executive Director
May 15, 2018

Dear AFDO Members and Partners,

Later this year I will be departing as AFDO’s Executive Director. I will not say goodbye to anyone but I will say thank you. A thanks for allowing me to continue working in the only profession I ever had and ever knew. A thanks for allowing me to work with you to advance AFDO and those innovative ideas that have given us a training institute, a Fellowship program, a new and easy system for delivering FDA grants to state and local agencies, and the capacity to invest back into our profession. These are not little things that we have done.

I have had the privilege of opening a new AFDO office in Downtown York, witnessing our Endowment Foundation going over $1 million, and seeing this organization attract opportunity after opportunity to advance our cause. Above all, I am so grateful to have been a little piece of history in an organization that is so rich in history.

I depart knowing that AFDO is doing well and will continue to do well. I chuckle when I think we once operated out of a family garage and had only one employee. It’s nothing less than amazing that we have survived over 122 years during some very bad times and very good times. This is a good time and the appropriate time for me to leave. But again, this is not goodbye – you may still see me in my George Flanders outfit every June at our Conference or as a Course Instructor somewhere around the country. I have also agreed to remain with AFDO in a less prominent role should they desire.

Thank you all for the privilege and honor to be AFDO's Executive Director – it was a great journey.

Sincerely,

Joseph Corby, Executive Director
Association of Food and Drug Officials