See ya Steve, I really do like you...A LOT!

[The Charlton Guy]

CGC President and Primary Grader Steven Borock has formally announced his departure after a six-month transition program. Beginning early 2008, Borock had largely transitioned from his grading responsibilities to CGC business development in anticipation of this move. He is leaving to pursue other opportunities in the collectibles field, specifically the areas of comic books, magazines and autographed collectibles.
Mark Haspel, who has served as Vice President and Senior Grader since CGC's inception, has been named President and Primary Grader and assumed Steven Borock's duties in the grading room. Widely acclaimed as one of the nation's leading experts, Haspel is highly skilled at both restoration detection and pedigree attribution. He is a grading advisor to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and has consulted on grading for many of the hobby's most important collections. Paul Litch, who oversees CGC's modern grading division, has been named Vice President and Modern Primary Grader.

"My years at CGC, spent building something really special in comics and helping our hobby to become a safer place, has been an amazing time in my life. Mark Haspel has been a spectacular partner and colleague. He has encyclopedic knowledge of comics and an amazing eye for grading and restoration detection," comments Steven Borock, "Mark has been acting Primary Grader for six months, and I know that I'm leaving at the perfect time to pursue new ventures and that CGC will continue to service the hobby in the best possible way."

Steven Eichenbaum, CEO, thanks Steven Borock for his service: "Steve has been a major factor in CGC's success, and he's been an integral part in launching new products that are coming later this year. He and Mark have managed the transition perfectly. Mark Haspel is an extraordinary talent, and has all the tools to guide CGC and maintain its very high standards. In Steve, we truly found the best individual to launch and grow CGC for its first 8 years, and everyone, here and in the hobby, wishes him great success in his next ventures."

[68 Guns]

Steve has been a great ambassador for CGC.
I wish him the best in his new venture.

[stupidman]

I think Steve should start another grading company!

[The Charlton Guy]

I think Steve should start another grading company!

Bingo!

That would be the best thing he could do for the hobby.

Hell, even I would pitch in for that venture.

[StlComics]

He is leaving to pursue other opportunities in the collectibles field, specifically the areas of comic books, magazines and autographed collectibles.


I can't help but notice they didn't really say what those "other opportunities" those are. What could be so much more lucrative than his CGC job that he would want to leave?

[68 Guns]

While his job may sound great,I'm not sure many people could deal with grading books 40-50 hours a week,then flying to a city and doing another 15 hours of grading on-site ten weekends a year.I spoke to Steve about going to work for CGC a ferw years ago,and he put me in touch with a dealer we both knew who had went to work for them for a short while and quit.After discussing it with the former grader,I decided it wasn't for me.
Sometimes people just need a change of pace. I'll be 50 this year,have already had three seperate careers and am thinking about starting a fourth one.I left all three previous ones on positive terms,it was just time to move on.

[stupidman]

I can't help but notice they didn't really say what those "other opportunities" those are. What could be so much more lucrative than his CGC job that he would want to leave?

Is he leaving CGC but staying with CCG?

Maybe he's going to "grade" more photos for Parrino? :)

[stupidman]

While his job may sound great,I'm not sure many people could deal with grading books 40-50 hours a week,then flying to a city and doing another 15 hours of grading on-site ten weekends a year.I spoke to Steve about going to work for CGC a ferw years ago,and he put me in touch with a dealer we both knew who had went to work for them for a short while and quit.After discussing it with the former grader,I decided it wasn't for me.
Sometimes people just need a change of pace. I'll be 50 this year,have already had three seperate careers and am thinking about starting a fourth one.I left all three previous ones on positive terms,it was just time to move on.


Ah yes, I remember when they were hiring graders :)

http://members.aol.com/catmanstu/cgcad.jpg

[disneyteddies]

I wonder what the salary is for that kind of position???

[iron maniac]

I wish Steve all the luck in the world in whatever it is he is going into now.

If you really get to know Steve, he really is a very good guy. He was always willing to lend an ear if I had something to discuss with him no matter how busy he was. He always made time and made himself available for collectors. In other words: he cared. Always.

Although we didn't see eye to eye on certain issues, I consider Steve a good friend and I wish him the very best.

[Deathlok]

I wonder what the salary is for that kind of position???

It wasnt very much, something $30,000/year.

[Red Hook]

I think CGC will be better for this move.

[Burntboy]

I think CGC will be better for this move.

Brad; care to elaborate??

i was stunned by the news, but also feel that they will continue to prosper, but never entertained the idea that things would be any better.

I'm a huge fan of Steve and am glad to hear that he'll now have more time to enjoy and enrich the hobby.

Certainly the Forum dinner's won't be the same with the new crew in charge, despite Steve's likely presence as simply a forum member. the last CGC dinner i attended without steve was the National in NYC last year and it was a mini disaster as Steve got sick in Fla and never made it up north. (first forum dinner in NYC in quite a while where no creators showed up).

[68 Guns]

It wasnt very much, something $30,000/year.

It was a bit higher,but keep in mind that Florida has no income tax and the cost of living is much cheaper than in NYC.$35K in Florida spends like $50K in NYC.

[PhiGam]

i had the pleasure of talking with steve in AZ this may...seemed like a nice dude...

wonder what he's planning on next... *rubs chin*

hurmmmmm

[68 Guns]

Brad; care to elaborate??

i was stunned by the news, but also feel that they will continue to prosper, but never entertained the idea that things would be any better.

I'm a huge fan of Steve and am glad to hear that he'll now have more time to enjoy and enrich the hobby.

Certainly the Forum dinner's won't be the same with the new crew in charge, despite Steve's likely presence as simply a forum member. the last CGC dinner i attended without steve was the National in NYC last year and it was a mini disaster as Steve got sick in Fla and never made it up north. (first forum dinner in NYC in quite a while where no creators showed up).


Forgetting about Carmines,are we?

[Red Hook]

No, I don't care to elaborate. I think CGC will simply benefit from a fresh public image.

[stupidman]

How can you take someone with a ponytail like that seriously? :)

[jaeldubyoo]

I can't say I know him or am a fan of him, but I'll give him credit. There's no denying that CGC became a powerhouse in the hobby under his watch.

[Burntboy]

Forgetting about Carmines,are we?

Actually i was just speaking about Carmines with someone. That dinner was great, but there was NO CGC presence at all and NO creators attended. So there were no formal introductions and no free apps or drinks...:D

Of course, we ran into Steve on the street shortly after the dinner ended and wound up at a hotel bar where he picked up the tab...:cool:

And then i went to a "nicer" bar and had some Champagne with Paris Fred, Matt Nelson and Lon from Heritage.

I guess my point is that while others may have organized most previous Forum Dinners (Foolkiller for sure), it was Steve who got Neal Adams to come at least three times that i can remember, as well as Jim Shooter and others. and he always got the ball rolling by having everyone introduce themselves (which may seem a bit contrived, but actually is the best way for everyone to know who is actually there when the group is very large).