Dear WCA Board, WCA Delegates, and WCA Community, Ten years years today, something happened. On Thursday, July 24, 2003 around 7pm in the evening, I took a break from my duties as a summer camp counselor and returned home where my brother, Toby, told me he had learned to solve a Rubik's Cube. I asked him to show me how, and two hours later, I could solve the Rubik's Cube in 10 minutes with my sheet of scribbled notes. I was a 19 year-old college student back then, with absolutely no idea of what would happen over the next ten years. What started out as a local event to showcase the talents of a 13 year-old Shotaro Makisumi became an international community, and I look back fondly on my last decade with the Rubik's Cube proud at what the community has become, and excited about what the community will do next. This past weekend at the 2013 World Rubik's Cube Championships in Las Vegas only served to illustrate what is truly an international movement. Nearly 600 enthusiasts gathered under a single roof to showcase their accomplishments, to share their knowledge, and the maintain and build friendships. I am sadly no longer a 19 year-old college student. Ten years later, I am nearly 30 years-old. A lot more work remains to be done with the WCA, but at this point, I feel that my presence with the organization is hindering the development of new leaders. As a 19 year-old, I was in an excellent position. I did not have the organizational or leadership skills back then that I have today, but the demands of the WCA in 2004 did not require that level of sophistication. It was a fortunate circumstance for my young mind to grow with the organization. I hoping that by taking a step back, new life can be injected into the WCA, and that a structure of the WCA will evolve to accomplish many more great things. As someone who turns 30 next year, other challenges in life await for me as well. Over the last few years, I have felt worn down by the daily operational duties of the WCA. I believe that new thinking and strategic restructuring of the WCA can ameliorate many of these problems, but at least for today, I do not feel I have the capacity to devote the energy to the WCA that it deserves. As a result, I am resigning from my position as board member of the WCA. My plans are to take the next year as a break away from the administrative side of cubing, and to explore the other adventures that life has the offer. Regarding my role as the lead organizer of the US National Championships, the event is in good hands with the current organizational team. I will be assisting Felix Lee, coincidentally a passionate 19 year-old cuber, in terms of developing him into a strong leader for the community. Felix, Tim, Jim, and the rest of the organizational team are perfectly capable of producing an excellent national championship event for 2014, and I am confident it will be just as good as our last event with my position in a more minor supporting role. Regarding the WCA, I will remain available to assist on matters and small projects should they be requested of me. For now, I wish everyone who has been part of the WCA and a part of my life the best of luck. I hope to see great things from the WCA over the next year, and I look forward to the rise of the WCA's next generation of leaders. It has been an honor serving all of you. I will treasure the friendships and connections I have made for the rest of my life. Sincerely, Tyson Mao

Nooooooooooooooooooo... I never even got to meet you yet. Well good luck in your non-wca life.

Appreciate to your work over the past ten years! Have a Great life~

Sad to see you go but i had fun seeing you in vegas at world Champs. Do you have a plave for Nationals yet i would love to see it stay in vegas. It is easy to travel to plenty of space and hotel rooms with food right there it was a great place for worlds but since Felix Lee is the Maryland Delegate does that mean by anyway that it will be n maryland?