--- /dev/null
+[[!tag tags/hp]]
+[[!tag tags/debian]]
+[[!tag tags/freedombox]]
+[[!tag tags/amsat]]
+[[!tag tags/hamradio]]
+[[!tag tags/rockets]]
+
+I am pleased to announce that HP accepted my application for participation
+in this year's Enhanced Early Retirement program. After 26.5 years, my last
+day at [HP](http://hp.com) will be 31 August 2012.
+
+This isn't because I have a problem with HP, quite the contrary! I feel
+immensely privileged to have worked on so many interesting things with so
+many smart people for so long. And there are many exciting things happening
+right now, including high profile projects like
+[Odyssey](http://hp.com/go/odyssey) and [Moonshot](http://hp.com/go/moonshot)
+expanding both ends of the server scaling continuum with Linux, and the
+immense commitment to and investment in Open Source represented by the
+use of [Open Stack](http://openstack.org) and [Ubuntu](http://ubuntu.com) LTS
+in building [HP Cloud](http://hpcloud.com). The temptation to stay and
+continue to help guide [HP's Open Source engagement](http://opensource.hp.com)
+was strong. I'm certainly under no pressure to leave... in fact, I think I
+managed to shock my management with my decision to retire!
+
+But I'm very excited about "taking a break" from full-time employment for a
+while to focus more time on things that matter a lot to me. My son and I
+have a number of projects we'd like to work on together as he enters high
+school. The side business I started two years ago with
+[Keith Packard](http://keithp.com) to design, build, and sell
+[avionics solutions for high power model rockets](http://altusmetrum.org)
+is growing and could use more attention. I'm in the midst of designing the
+processor board for another
+[amateur radio satellite](http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/). And
+of course, I'm looking forward to putting more "quality time" towards
+Free Software projects like [FreedomBox](http://freedomboxfoundation.org)
+and [Debian](http://debian.org)!
+
+Since they do not depend on my employment status, I do not explect any
+immediate changes in the various roles I play outside of HP. I will continue
+to serve on the board of the [Linux Foundation](http://linuxfoundation.org)
+representing individual affiliates, on the board of the
+[FreedomBox Foundation](http://freedomboxfoundation.org), as Chairman
+of the [Debian Technical Committee](http://www.debian.org/devel/tech-ctte.html),
+and as President of [Software in the Public Interest](http://spi-inc.org). And
+while I hope to travel less than I have in recent years, I look forward to
+continuing to speak and otherwise participate in key Free Software conferences
+around the world from time to time.
+
+After I retire, the primary point of contact with HP on Open Source matters
+will be the Director of HP's Open Source Program Office,
+[Phil Robb](mailto:phil.robb@hp.com). But if there are open issues regarding
+HP and Open Source that I can help with over the next month, feel free to
+contact me and I'll see what I can do to help.