Last week, I made the most challenging and emotional decision I have made in my career to date. This past Thursday, I informed the Board of Directors of the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance of my intentions of resigning as President and Board Member, effective the same day: Thursday, June 28th.

In the coming days, I will explain more, but I honestly believe that this decision is best for both my professional and personal lives. Many factors and circumstances came into play in making this decision. Know that I love this community with all of my heart and soul and stand dedicated to further providing as much value to each and every person I possibly can for as long as possible, privately.

In full transparency, below is the letter of resignation that was presented to the Board of Directors of the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance last Thursday.

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June 28, 2012

Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance
509 W. Spring Street
Suite 105
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Dear Board of Directors,

I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign my position as President and member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance effective June 28, 2012.

I have enjoyed more than 2 years helping to cultivate an entrepreneurship culture in Northwest Arkansas that had not previously been present. I have had the privilege of meeting more great, talented people than anyone deserves in a single lifetime. The entrepreneurship community of Northwest Arkansas is very special and it will always mean the world to me. While I am resigning, I stand committed to the growth and success of this community as a member of it. This community is made up of many extraordinary people, projects and companies that are on the cusp of something far larger than anyone may expect. I am both proud of and excited for the future of this entrepreneurship community and stand devoted to supporting it privately for many years to come.

As you know, I have always kept this community that we serve at the highest of priorities. I have always worked with and represented this community and its mission with passion, authenticity and a genuine goal to help each and every person in this region become successful by whatever means I could offer no matter their age, background or circumstance. What began as just Mo and I genuinely helping each other, has now become an iconic community that is now well known across Arkansas and the nation. That same desire to provide value, through passion and authenticity, lives stronger than ever in me today and while this organization moves one way, I must move the other.

As I exit and others are ushered in, I challenge you to realign with the founding principles by which this organization was created. I challenge you to be authentic in all that you do and stand for. I challenge you to serve this community as a resource and not as a business. I challenge you to take pride in helping others reach success, rather than leveraging the success of others for a larger agenda. I challenge you to be wary of partnerships prior to agreements. I challenge you to view this community as a family and prevent politics from threatening the very foundation of trust and reliability it was built on. I challenge you to keep this community we serve at the highest of all priorities. Cherish it. Cultivate it. Most of all, protect it.

It has been an honor to be able to serve the Northwest Arkansas community with the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance. I am deeply indebted to Vice President, Mo Elliott; to my colleagues over the years who serve this community; the entire Board of Directors of NWAEA; and to the entire Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurship community for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Josh Clemence