At the Center March 2003

The Objectivist Center begins the new year with a number of changes in its staff.

Robert Bidinotto is leaving after six and a half years with the center to continue his writing career. Robert was an accomplished writer and speaker at the time he arrived in 1996, with stints at the Readers Digest and elsewhere, and he had been an active participant in the Objectivist movement for more than two decades. At the center, he divided his time between fund-raising, writing for Navigator, and speaking at the summer seminar and other venues. For the past two years he directed the Atlas Society, creating its website and other programs. He will continue to maintain the TAS Web site and contribute articles and reviews to Navigator.

Shawn and Kristen Klein, who were married last spring, are relocating to Phoenix, where Shawn will resume his graduate studies in philosophy and Kristen will pursue her career in management. Shawn was website manager, a role he will continue to fill part-time while he is teaching philosophy in Arizona. Kristen worked with David Kelley in tracking TOC projects and with Jamie Dorrian in managing events.

Erin Hill has been promoted to that position. Erin, who received an A.B. in history from Marist College, came to the center in September 2000 as an administrative assistant. Working with Erin will be Beth Mancusi, who most recently taught developmental skills at The Enchanted Forest day-care center in Wappinger Falls. She is currently seeking her associate's degree in computer science.

Last fall, Patrick Stephens departed for Boston to complete his college degree at Brandeis. Patrick managed the center's op-ed program and wrote often for Navigator, among his many other contributions to the center. Tim Richmond, a frequent conference assistant at the summer seminar, spent two years on the staff handling fulfillment for our product sales. He is returning to a job as an inventory auditor in his home state of Vermont.

"We've never had so many changes in so short a time span," said Kelley. "But I've always been glad that the center is a place where young people can get started, learn skills, and help us pursue our Objectivist mission, and then go on to pursue their own destinies."