Introducing two friends from across the country

I got an unusual message on my Facebook wall this afternoon from Jacob Chitsaz, a friend who is the brother of my close friend, Mandy Reid. At first I thought it must be a joke:

In a car with Matthew Feath in Palm Springs… Small world 🙂 he says hi.

Matt and I served together in the same division on the USS Elliot back in the early 90s. We trade messages almost every day. Jacob had taken a limo in Palm Springs that just happened to be driven by Matt. Upon learning Jacob was from Raleigh, Matt probably asked the one-in-a-million question, “do you know a guy named Mark Turner?” Boom, instant connection.

Raleigh’s population is approaching half a million residents. Any one of those residents could’ve been Matt’s passenger. Instead, Jacob was and both of them figured out they knew me in common.

What’s amusing is that I know both of these gentlemen well enough to have attended each of their weddings. That puts them in a very small circle of friends. Small world, indeed!

Stepping away from CACs

This morning I let my fellow RCAC members know that I would not be running for a second term as chair of the RCAC when my term is up in January. It was a difficult decision for me as it’s been an honor to serve as the leader of leaders. I’ve really seen folks working together to a degree I hadn’t seen in a long while. That seems like a good time to step aside, though, doesn’t it? When things are going well?

I have had a few chairs ask if I would consider staying on but I was noncommittal until today. Part of my job as leader is to help create other leaders. People tend to step up when there’s a leadership opportunity. I have confidence that the RCAC will have a great leader to follow me and that the RCAC will continue to grow and prosper.
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