| [eclipse.org-members-committers] A New Chapter for the Eclipse Foundation and I |
Dear Eclipse Foundation community,
I wanted to share the news with you that I intend to retire from the position of Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation in 2027. This is something I have been considering for some time and the recent arrival of my two grandchildren is an additional motivation to reduce my travel and spend more time with family. The exact timing will be at the Board’s discretion, and we will share the transition arrangements as they are confirmed.
This is a planned transition. We have been discussing succession planning with the Board at least annually for the past five years. The Board is responsible for appointing the next Executive Director and will lead the selection process.
In the meantime, I remain fully engaged as Executive Director.
The Eclipse Foundation has never been as strong as it is today. We are financially strong, have an experienced leadership team, and support a global community whose reach and impact have grown enormously over the past two decades.
When I joined in 2004, our work was centered on the Eclipse developer tools ecosystem. Today, our communities span enterprise Java, automotive software, embedded systems, IoT and edge, open hardware, developer tools, and other technologies with global impact. We have become a much larger organisation, with the capabilities and experience to support that work.
That progress belongs to this community. Our committers, maintainers, and contributors have built and sustained the technology. Our members have invested in shared goals. Our staff and partners have helped those communities grow and succeed. I cannot thank you enough for the trust and support you have given us.
Our mission and commitment to vendor-neutral, community-driven collaboration remain central. This leadership announcement does not change project governance, committer roles, or existing agreements. Please continue to work with your usual Foundation contacts.
My intention is to continue contributing to the Eclipse Foundation in a part-time capacity after stepping down. Any follow-up position, including its title, duration, and responsibilities, will be at the discretion of the Board and the new Executive Director.
The past 22 years have been an incredible journey. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that the next Executive Director will inherit an organisation and community with tremendous opportunities ahead.
We will keep you informed as the process moves forward. Further information, including an FAQ, is available on my blog post.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the Eclipse community.
Mike
Mike Milinkovich
Executive Director Eclipse Foundation AISBL