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I'm sorry to have to report this evening that  Michael Collins has resigned his position as Executive Director of the Internet Commerce Association in order to work on transitioning a retail business he owns from brick and mortar to the Internet. In an email sent to ICA members tonight Collins wrote:

Dear ICA Member,

I have mixed feelings as I announce that I am leaving Internet Commerce Association as Executive Director to work on developing some of my own domain names. I am excited about my

project, a brick and mortar to Internet transition for an auto accessory business. However, I will miss the daily contact with domainers from all over the world and the opportunity to represent them at ICANN and other important venues. It is great that I was able to share with you the recent success in Kentucky Court of Appeals before leaving.

The entire world is going through economic turmoil now. Many of the ardent supporters of ICA feel that they cannot continue their previous level of support in these difficult times. I hope that all will carefully reconsider the value of having representation in Washington, with ICANN and in other venues around the world. ICA will need your help financially and it will need volunteers. I will continue to help ICA going forward as a volunteer. I hope that other  concerned members will also volunteer when ICA puts out a call for help.

Michael Collins

Thank you to all who have supported me and helped me in my role with ICA during the last 18months. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact current ICA President Jeremiah Johnston at [email protected].

Best Regards,
Michael Collins

Michael is a good man and we certainly wish him the best of luck in his new venture and thank him for his service to the industry during his time with the ICA.

(Posted Jan. 22, 2009)