Paul's Forum Farewell

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

Hello Polk Forum regulars, newbies, hangers-on and friends,

I wanted you to hear this news before it hits the CE trade press newsletters and blogs. After nearly 25 years of service I am leaving Polk Audio. I have accepted the position of VP of Marketing at Definitive Technology. In the great irony of the universe, I am going to work with the person who brought me into Polk Audio way back when dinosaurs ruled the earth (1983). Sandy Gross was one of the founders of Polk Audio who later founded Definitive Technology. Sandy hired me as Polk Audio’s National Sales Manager and now has chosen me to assume an executive marketing position at Definitive. In further irony, Definitive and Polk Audio are now under the corporate umbrella of Directed Electronics. So I’m not leaving the clan, just moving over to a different village.

This was a hard decision for me to make. I love my colleagues at Polk and have been very happy working here. You all know of my passion for the brand. But this is a move up in every way and a perfect fit for me. I bring a set of skills of which Definitive is in need; I don’t have to move my home (Definitive is also based in Baltimore); I get to work with people I know, like and respect and with products that I can be proud to represent. Perfect fit opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime and I would have been a fool to pass it up.

This move comes with Polk Audio’s blessing and support. In fact, some people are suspiciously overjoyed to see me go :D . I’ve caught some people eying my office with lust. One guy was taking measurements and muttering “Mauve, I think I’ll paint the walls mauve.” Matthew Polk and Jim Herd have been super supportive during my prolonged, angst-ridden decision making period---further proof that this is a special company that really cares about its people.

I will miss many things and people at Polk Audio, you Forum loonies included. You folks are another reason why Polk Audio is a special and wonderful company. I will miss PolkFest and doing shots of bourbon and eating barbeque while listening to great music on great audio systems. I will miss Troy and Wendi, Doro, Russman, John Strong, Ted, Diz, Brett, Jessie, even Anthony :D and all the rest of you people who have been so supportive of Polk Audio and who have kept me laughing for so many years.
I love you guys, sniff.

Paul DiComo
Aka “Def Paul” (Al put this in. He’s just jealous - Paul)

[RuSsMaN]

Congrats Paul, onward and upward good friend! One step closer to your plan of global domination.


Cheers,
Russ (as a single tear rolls down my face) Gates

PS- You can still come to Polkfest, and bring us a goose!

[phuz]

We all hope you'll pop in from time to time and say hi!

It's been great having you around. Congrats! Have fun on the dark side!

[steveinaz]

Godspeed Paul; thanks for your support & wisdom in all things audio. Rock on brotha.

[zombie boy 2000]

Congratulations Paul! Best o' luck to you on your new adventure!

[Jstas]

I knew I felt a disturbance in "The Force"!

Paul, leaving for the Dark Side?

I guess the prophecy is true then!




Good luck Paul! Definitive Technology's tremendous gain is a huge loss for Polk Audio. But hey, a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do! It won't be the same without the Polkasaurus Rex roaming around!


So I guess this means Polk Audio has a job opening? Where can we send resumes?

[Skynut]

Congrats Paul and enjoy your new work surroundings.

[dkg999]

Paul - congratulations on a well deserved career move!

[disneyjoe7]

Diz, is happy for ya but sadden also...

Why can't you go to a PolkFest? Did Polk support your travel for PolkFest?

[Demiurge]

Congrats! :)

[heiney9]

Congrats, I was hoping to meet you one day as I've been a Polkie both as a retailer and consumer since almost the beginning. Polk is a special company among giants and I'm sure it's due in no small part to the longevity of the people who built the company.

Good luck with you new adventure.

[Ricardo]

Congrats on such an important move; after so many years I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision.

Marketing? hmmm.....I see a Club DefTech forum in the near future...and a few guys here that would love to join it ;)

[kab]

...Why can't you go to a PolkFest?
Because he's so persuasive that you'd all be def-techies by Sunday. :)

Al

[disneyjoe7]

Because he's so persuasive that you'd all be def-techies by Sunday. :)

Al


So what's wrong with that? It's all the same Corporate Stock isn't :rolleyes:

[disneyjoe7]

Besides you Al and Paul where like Batman & Robin can't be separated.

[Fireman32]

Congrats Paul. I wish you the best of luck and I still hope you show up to this years Polkfest.

[Shizelbs]

Best of luck to you in your new future.

[engtaz]

Congrats and take care. Best of Luck.

[hoosier21]

I would say congratulations, but I am not listed under who you will miss, so up yours :)

Be sure to forward all your research data prototype models of the Polk Thingy to Flexible Anna, she will appreciate it.

Russ

[reeltrouble1]

Well, it is certainly not going to be the same. You are irreplaceable my friend.

The invite remains and I am sure you know what is best.

Now, are you ever going to tell me where to put these speakers??????

Take care Paul.

Ted

[madmax]

Awesome!!! I wish you the best. You should remain on the forum though, at least until you get banned. :)
madmax

[polrbehr]

Sounds like you're moving into a great situation. Congrats and best of luck in your new adventure.

[wingnut4772]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!Please come back and visit.:)

[tonyb]

Lucky for them to get such a quality human being.
He is human,right??:D
Good luck to you and congrats!!
Do you think Russ is gonna.......nahhh......

[rskarvan]

Congratulations... and, tell Sandy that I am still enjoying my Monitor 10's that he designed. Thanks.

[shack]

Pffffft....ONLY 25 years....Where's the loyalty?

Good luck on the new position!

[Zero]

Paul,

Rock on, and enjoy the new step up in your career! Thanks for all the work and effort you've invested into making Polk Audio a very special company. You're right, DT could use that bit of luv'. :D ;)

[George Grand]

Arrividerci BABY!

Thanks for being a good guy (and patient), even though it's kind of boring.

[ninerbj]

New position? Shouldn't an old guy like you be looking at RV's?

Seriously...good luck and God' speed

[polkatese]

I thought we agreed that BP7001SC got squashed by LSi15 by a wide margin? :)

Good luck, Paul! See ya on the other side. Congrats!

[cfrizz]

Congratulations & good luck Paul.

Cathy

[george daniel]

Congratulations and good luck in your new adventure:)

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

Thank you all for the kind words. I expected no less warmth and generosity than you have always exhibited.

Why can't you go to a PolkFest?

Diz, I can go and would like to. This year I'm juggling wrapping up some Polk projects that I am committed to finishing plus giving DT a full days work (3 whole hours!) so I'm a little stretched for the next few months. I need all the weekend R&R I can squeeze in. Maybe next year if you'll let me.

Besides you Al and Paul where like Batman & Robin can't be separated.

I am sooo looking forward to being separated from that guy ;)

I would say congratulations, but I am not listed under who you will miss, so up yours
Up my what with what exactly? How could I leave you off that list Russ? Senior moment. I'm sure I forgot to mention lots of Festians with whom I have shared a bottle o'hooch.

New position? Shouldn't an old guy like you be looking at RV's?

This will help me buy a bigger one in a few years.

I will drop in the Forum from time to time if Justin doesn't kick me off. I will need a new screen name. Hmmmmm.

[brettw22]

Paul.......congrats on the promo......has been great meeting you at HQ and the fests, and I'm sure if I'm out there again we'll meet up somewhere.

oh....and tell the guy that's contemplating mauve that that's so 1986 and he needs to get into some neutrals........ ;)

[danger boy]

Paul,

Congrats on your new position with Def Tech. It's always good to take on new challenges. The gang here will all miss you. Best of luck!

[McLoki]

Congrats on the new position. Enjoy the new challenges and good luck. Thanks for all the help you have given many forum members over the years.

Michael

[jtgranby]

Good luck and don't forget the forum.

JT

[madmax]

I will need a new screen name. Hmmmmm.



Definitive DiComo perhaps? :D
madmax

[mantis]

Good luck Paul. Thanks for everything over the years.

Dan

[Josh]

In fact, some people are suspiciously overjoyed to see me go :D .

Hell Yeah!! Good riddance. Let's get some people that weren't around during the invention of electricity in that department! J/K...maybe not :D

[Polkersince85]

Good luck on the move. I added my Def Techs to my sig now, no reason to be ashamed of them anymore :cool: You'll do great.

[janmike]

Congrats Paul. Sounds like the perfect fit. You will be missed but others will now reap the benefits of your performance. Good Luck and enjoy.

[Strong Bad]

I say we tackle his ass and shave that beard off before he bolts out the door!

Congrats Paul! Thank you for being kind and looking out for me. ;)

VP of Marketing...whoa buddy...check you out! The big man now!

I'm gonna go cry now...:(

Strong Sad

[a_mattison]

Congrats Paul!

[disneyjoe7]

Hey Polk Paul, you know that XM radio I had you sign with Al? Well I think it just went up in value. Think about it's signed Polk Paul you're not Polk Paul any longer, and even if the "Man" signed it let's face the fact His still There you're NOT.

So with you leaving I say it up $.50 or so, just on your word of leaving.


Good luck Paul :)

[F1nut]

Geez........look what happens when I step away for a day. ;)

All the best to the best!

BTW, will you be taking those CRS+'s to your new office? :D

[snow]

It sounds like you are excited about this move, so congrats on the new job. I have never met you and probablly never will but its the same with most or all the folks on these forums. Even so I am sure you will be missed by lots of people that you have helped along the way that you havent met. 25 years is long enough to give anyone so good luck on your new adventure.

REGARDS SNOW

[Thom]

Don't let the door hit you in the... err, sorry.



We'll miss you Paul.


Hahahahaha. I tired to say it with a straight face... :D

[dorokusai]

I'll never forget the nights Uncle DiComo spent with us @ Polkfest next to the fireplace wearing his ill fitting velvet smoking jacket, micro Speedo with smoke rising towards the heavens from a $.99 corn cob pipe.

He would recite Bukowski, Kerouwac and various loose prose he had written for the Penhouse Forum. It was magical. I could imagine the words dancing in the smoke, like an afterschool cartoon special, spelling other words I didn't know.

I would often wake up in the middle of the night to find Paul and a strange island woman having a heated discussion using not a single word....just the endless slithering samba of modern expressive dance with Jazz hands thrown in as exclamation points. And where did that donkey come from?

Alas, all good things must come to an end and the healing process really begins. I'll miss you Uncle Paul.

Love,
Mark

[engtaz]

TMI TMI Glad to hear he has a personality.

[markmarc]

From the perspective of the audio press, Paul has been 100% honorable and a very nice guy to deal with. I'm sure paul's heir apparent will follow his mantra, afterall, we all know how customer friendly Polk is on a daily basis.

[phoneisbusy]

Best wishes Paul and congratulations.

regards

Dave

[Refefer]

Congrats on the promotion! It's sad we'll be losing ya, but Deftech will be reaping the rewards!

Good Luck!

[TroyD]

So, I'm a little late on the scene....

Always happy to hear of a friend making a change for the better...so that's a good thing. CONGRATS!!

As far as who signs your paycheck, who cares? Wendi still digs you and are always welcome here (pointing to the 5424 Ansley Trail Inn).

BDT

[warlocks1]

Congrats and well deserved, but I still will not buy Def Tech (I think of Trey whenever I hear Def Tech). I still respect loyalty and friendship. Well, I guess it depends on what kind of deal you give me.:D

Polk Audio lost a key player, I feel sorry for who over tries to fill your shoes. Best wishes on your new career. Jeff

[MacLeod]

Congratulations Paul! Def Tech is lucky to get ya.

Best of luck and I wish you much success with the new job.

[hearingimpared]

I've only been a forum member for a year now but a Polk owner since the early 80s and remember when you started at Polk. I always had the connection with the resident paisan! Buona fortuna or if you like, "in la bocca al lupo."

[halo]

Sorry I didn't get to meet you at the Chicagoland PF. :( Hopefully there will be another next year. :confused:

Thanks again for your generosity. You've got a big heart.

Congrats on the move. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors :)

[jwhitakr]

Paul -

Congrats on the upward move, and best of luck with your new position!

Justin

[Ron-P]

Sad to see you go Paul but I wish you the best on your new endeavor.

[schwarcw]

Congrats on your new position, and thanks for your many years of service to Polk Audio! Good luck!:)

[DarqueKnight]

Congrats and well wishes.:)

[ohskigod]

got this late since I was in Aruba last week. Bad stuff always happens when I'm gone :p

belated congrats on your new endeavor, definitly sounds like an awesome opurtunity. I know it must have been a hard choice with your Loyalty to Polk, but it seems like your making the right choice for the right reason.

keep us posted in the forum as to how things are going.

Lou

[shack]

Is he gone yet?

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

Is he gone yet?

Still here. They bricked in my door and left me with a year's supply of food and water. I am digging a tunnel now and hope to be out in a couple of months. Sssh, don't tell.

[Jstas]

Still here. They bricked in my door and left me with a year's supply of food and water. I am digging a tunnel now and hope to be out in a couple of months. Sssh, don't tell.


OOOOOO!!!! I'm telliiinnn! :eek:

[okiepolkie]

Paul,

Enjoyed visiting with you in Denver last year. Will try to do it again at CEDIA sometime with the "new" company.

[hearingimpared]

Still here. They bricked in my door and left me with a year's supply of food and water. I am digging a tunnel now and hope to be out in a couple of months. Sssh, don't tell.

Make a left turn at the Chesapeake tunnel and that will bring you up just about 1/2 block from my house. . . you can chomp down on some great roast pork and sausage scallopini!:D You can also check out the new sound coming from the 1.2 tls.;)

[cfrizz]

If they are that desparate to keep you then now is the time to ask for a REALLY BIG RAISE!!!;) :D

Still here. They bricked in my door and left me with a year's supply of food and water. I am digging a tunnel now and hope to be out in a couple of months. Sssh, don't tell.

[hoosier21]

If they are that desparate to keep you then now is the time to ask for a REALLY BIG RAISE!!!;) :D

desparate in his own mind, I can assure you.

[Kris Siegel]

Congratulations Paul! I can definitely understand the hard decision as my brief tenure at Polk Audio was a great experience. I can't imagine how hard it is to leave almost any position after 25 years much less Polk.

Good luck in your future endeavours.

I will drop in the Forum from time to time if Justin doesn't kick me off. I will need a new screen name. Hmmmmm.
You don't need a new screen name per say. It can be renamed :)

[dorokusai]

http://resmagonline.com/articles/publish/article_1929.shtml

I must have missed this earlier.

[Polk65]

I'm all choked up. Glad to hear you will still be smiling in Baltimore.

[madmax]

"we have hired the best person in the industry for the job"

Wow, I wonder if Pauls head will still fit through his new office door... :)

madmax

[dorokusai]

Last time I saw him he made me kiss his hand before I could speak.

[F1nut]

Did he wash it first!?!

[dorokusai]

He actually slapped me.

[RuSsMaN]

Dude, you didn't kiss his hand, you kissed the French Tickler he wears as a ring.

Gross. (Imagine what it tickled, Sandy nontheless)

[doggie750]

you should take over the company, be the president and name the trademark
"polkaudio eatdef" technology.......:D :D :D

congratulation.......along with breed we all salute you.