So, I know that many of you already know through Twitter, but some have likely not heard the news that I am retiring from SOLIDWORKS, tomorrow being my last day of work. It has been a tremendous ride starting as the first technical support engineer at a small, unknown startup company in January of 1996 and watching the SOLIDWORKS community grow to the size it is today. I am always amazed at what our customers can do with our products, but more importantly, how the people in our community support one another, not only on a professional, but a personal level as well. It has been my extreme pleasure and honor to work with the SOLIDWORKS community for the past 22 1/2 years. While I won't be using SOLIDWORKS professionally any longer, in retirement I will be using it for my own hobbies. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this will not be the last you will hear from me in the forums

In retirement, I’ll be moving on to other more personal pursuits including running, cycling, hiking, horticulture, culinary arts, home improvement projects, and some projects to keep my design/engineering interests piqued like rebuilding/customizing my 1974 Jeep CJ5 (which has been in pieces, untouched for 15 years) and building a home brewery in my garage. My wife has also been kind enough to let me spend the majority of my time engrossed in work for the past 25 years and it is now time for me to pamper her as she will be very busy for the next 4 years on a big research project at University of New Hampshire where she works. It's payback time!

I want to end by saying that the SOLIDWORKS community is still in great hands with a large group of people here at SOLIDWORKS dedicated to making sure we produce the best products for your needs and making sure we are listing and responding to your needs. It is, and always has been, the most dedicated, professional, and personal group of people I have ever known. With that in mind, and will be happy to know that I have officially passed the ​ hat to ​ to carry that torch. While I appreciate you giving me the hat at SWW2018, it's true purpose is to be a continuous reminder of the most important priorities for our customers so it is best left here at SOLIDWORKS when I depart. See for the official hand off.

It has been a pleasure and I'll see you here soon!

Jim (Wilkie) Wilkinson