Tom Kaye Retires from Paintball, AGD Under New Management

[madmolly]

Wow

I can't say anything that hasn't been already said. I really don't think I would be playing ball today if I did not have an automag in my hands in 92 and won the first tourney ever held in Brantwood WI at S&E Paintball. It will definately feel different when I pick up my old mag and give her a day out this sprind. Thanks for what you did man and

[azzkikr]

that smily expreses my feelings exactly. tom i can understand and respect your wishes in your decission. however i'm incredibly sadden to see you leave the great sport of paintball. like lots of people have mentioned, your contributions to the sport are priceless and paintball just wouldn't be where it is without them. i really hope to catch you somewhere just to have a little talk.

i really hope you can make it again to our little town here in dalton ga, even if just to hang out.

best of wishes in anything and everything that may come your way.

AZZKIKR

Federico Nietzsche

[wyn1370]

[Creative Mayhem]

I too would like to add my HOLY !

Tom you are, and always will be THE MAN! It's been a great honor to know you, use your products/innovations, and play along side you. You will be missed no matter what you think.

I hope you plan on making a trip to Canada for the first true AO Canada meet in Sept 05!!!


I fthis hasn't been said, let me be the first to say it, WELCOME TO DAVE ZUPAN!! I'm looking forward to dealing with you in the future. BTW Hows the leg I could post pics, but I don't think people need to see pics of you with your pants down this early in your ownership

[luke]

Paintball is truly loosing a man of vision.

It's more than a little disheartening to hear this, although not a huge surprise. I can't even imagine the things our community will NEVER see with you retiring.

Where do WE go now.....

Good luck..

Maybe you could sub-contract for R&D....

[dzaide]

you will be missed indeed...

[Mastema]

from to to

'nough said!

[MiniSpdRcr]

Paintball will never be the same without you.

To Tom Kaye a true pioneer in paintball with a vision no one else had.

You will be missed and good luck in the new business ventures.

Marcin Pawelski




P.S. Please show up at Oklahoma D-Day

[SixRomeo]

Vaya con Dios...

Mr. Kaye,<br /><br />Thank you for showing this industry what innovation means. Your markers are individual works of what can only be described as genius. The AGD Automag is, and will remain, the weapon of choice for the truly discriminating player.<br /><br />Take care, and enjoy a well-deserved break.

[AGD-BossLady]

I wanted to let all of you know that I will also be leaving Airgun Designs; my last day will be Friday, December 17. I began working for Tom in March 1991 so it's going to be strange not to come to work at Airgun anymore. But the time has come to move on ....

I want to thank all of you for your support of Tom and Airgun Designs. You're a great group of people. I hope that you will continue your support because the group of people who will continue to work here (Dave, Marcia, Jon, and Roman) are hard-working, talented people who care very much about the company, the products, and company service. It doesn't get any better than that!

Take care,

JoAnn

[JLove]

Bet of Luck, Tom

Tom,

You are one of my favorite customers and people in the paintball industry. I have always respected your design genius, your friendly nature, and your openness. Between the rocketry, manufacturing, dinosaur bones hunting, assembly-line engineering, telescope robotics, etc... I am sure there will always be things that you can do to challenge yourself, have fun, create community, and be prosperous. You are a true renaissance man.

Today's paintball industry is but a shadow the small close-knit cottage industry it once was. Google's CEOs have a saying: "don't be evil". I think that has always been AGD's mantra as well, as there are definitely some evil companies in this industry. Unfortunately, this industry has become another manufacturing industry that has moved operations overseas, and the larger conglomerates with in-house legal teams have legislated innovation out of the sport. Tom, you have always been a bit of fresh air in that regard, because you have not compromised your integrity. I solute you for that. I agree with your statement that players should vote with their wallets to improve the industry.

This news is less about AGD and much more about Tom Kaye, the man. I am sure you know that you will always have lifelong friends due to your efforts in this industry. That says less about your inventions, and more about you personally. It has been a pleasure to work with you on your web site, your web store, and your forums. I still remember the day we helped you launch AO and setup the servers, like it was yesterday. If I can ever do anything for you, I am a phone call away.

Best of Luck and Happy Holidays to you, and the whole AGD staff.

John McKown, President
Delaware.Net, Inc
(we host AO, the AGD store, and Airgun.com)

[Mr.Peaches]

It looks like paintball has just lost another classy player.
Good luck.

[Naby]

I'll just join the crowd saying Thank you Tom for everything you've done for paintball and paintballers. It's sad to see you leave. Good luck in your new projects!

[MiniSpdRcr]

Good luck also JoAnn with where ever your life will take you next.

[Blazestorm]

I wanted to let all of you know that I will also be leaving Airgun Designs; my last day will be Friday, December 17. I began working for Tom in March 1991 so it's going to be strange not to come to work at Airgun anymore. But the time has come to move on ....

I want to thank all of you for your support of Tom and Airgun Designs. You're a great group of people. I hope that you will continue your support because the group of people who will continue to work here (Dave, Marcia, Jon, and Roman) are hard-working, talented people who care very much about the company, the products, and company service. It doesn't get any better than that!

Take care,

JoAnn

I called in once to check if my things ewre in-stock to order, they were and you were so nice about it, was all excited to be able to order my gun...

You may be leaving, but you will not have left.