(Editor’s Note: John Byfield asked us to publish this letter in “The Braille Forum” so that he could let all of his former students know about the change in his role at the Fidelco Guide Dog School. We wish Byfield all the best as he retires from one role and takes on another.)
August 24, 2000
Dear Fidelco Graduates,
I am writing to advise you of a change in my circumstances. Specifically, I will relocate to Florida next year.
Pam, my wife, and I have had a second residence in Lake Mary, central Florida for a number of years. She has business interests there and spends a great deal of time coordinating those interests in Florida. My three sons and their families, with grandchildren numbering 10, also reside in central Florida. Both factors have precipitated my decision to relocate.
Although I will be retiring as training director in 2001, I will not be retiring as a Fidelco employee. Robbie Kaman and George Salpietro have graciously agreed to my request to become a placement specialist. My home base will be Florida but I will place guides for Fidelco wherever there is a need in the U.S. I am grateful to Robbie and George for allowing me the opportunity to continue in a profession that I dearly love.
Supervisor Peter Nowicki has been chosen as my successor. We will work as a team starting right away, with Peter gradually taking on more responsibility as the months go by! However, it will be well into next year before I pull up my roots and move to Florida. As a point of information, Peter has been in the guide dog field for 21 years, 10 of those with Fidelco. Peter, together with George Salpietro, represents Fidelco at the biannual meetings of the U.S. Council of Guide Dog Schools. Peter has also successfully substituted for me on numerous occasions while I have been away coordinating placements. I am very confident that Peter will handle his new responsibility in a very positive and effective way. Our aim is to make the smoothest possible transition so there is absolutely no disruption of service. Our goal is continuity.
My primary position, which is full-time, will be as a placement specialist but I also anticipate being involved with both follow-up and the interview of applicants. I will continue to serve as an officer on the Fidelco Board of Directors and as a member of the selection committee.
I will miss the people that I work with and I will also miss communicating with both graduates and applicants on a daily basis. I have reflected back on my 42 years in the guide dog field and feel a great sense of gratitude for being involved in such a rewarding career. It has been a privilege for me to serve the blind community as a trainer/instructor and as the coordinator of two programs over the years. Who knows, I might even be one of the first instructors to reach 50 years in the guide dog profession!
I am looking forward to my new role as a placement specialist. See you on the road.
With best wishes,
John Byfield
Director of Training