Dear Voter

I've known George John since he ran computer pairings for the Texas Scholastic in 1996. A devoted chess dad, he channeled his energies into improving chess organizations. He started by creating TCA's first website later that year. He became one of the ablest Texas delegates to USCF, and a voice of reason in the flame-plagued newsgroup rec.games.chess.politics.

As chair of the Computer/Internet committee, he put his computer expertise to work in modernizing the systems at USCF. George has been a positive force for change in USCF at a difficult time in its history, and he brings high-level corporate experience as well as technical ability to the job.

George John listens to people, but he does not bend on principle. Years ago he split with our state's senior Delegate and supported One Member One Vote. In February, as TCA president he called a special meeting at the Texas Scholastic to deny a petition to change team eligibility rules in mid-tournament for one high school player. George admitted that the particulars made him sympathetic to the petition, but added that it would be worse to tinker with a rule (even one that needs changing) with the tournament in progress. His motion to deny the petition carried.

George takes public service seriously, and he raises the tone of the debate wherever he is found. He is just the sort of leader USCF needs to stay on track with its continued improvement.