TO: Kirk Richter, Senior Manager of TMF Operations, ICON Clinical Research

Dear Kirk:

It is with regret that I must officially submit my resignation from ICON’s TMF Operations group after nearly two years. You and I discussed this decision months ago, so this comes as no surprise. As agreed, my resignation is effective July 14, 2017.

When I returned to ICON in July 2015 after a year abroad, I found my Global Leaver Questionnaire from the previous year on my U-drive. Here are some highlights:

1) What is your primary reason for leaving? Career change.

3) What benefits will you be receiving at your new company that ICON does not offer or will be better at your new company? None—the benefits are not nearly as good as ICON’s.

26) What company are you going to work for? LCC International University, Klaipėda, Lithuania

27) Will you be doing similar work? No; teaching religion and ancient literature

28) What is your annual salary at your new company? Peanuts–I will literally be compensated in the form of nuts/goobers

29) Do you have any final comments to make? I’ve very much appreciated my time at ICON. I learned a lot from the job and the people, and the professional skills I developed will help me in the academy. Even though it wasn’t what I always wanted to do as a career, I do believe that I could have been content in this job for years to come. I will continue to recommend ICON as a great place to work.

30) Would you consider returning to ICON? I would consider it if I couldn’t get work in a college or university–but I hope that will never happen.

They say the best way to make God chuckle is to tell Him your plans—and I guess He reads these questionnaires, too. In all seriousness, I believe that my answers will be much the same this time around. I’m very grateful that you and Virendra gave me a chance to come back, support my family in a difficult time, learn some new skills, and (I hope) make a contribution to an interesting and important project here at ICON.

I know you won’t take this the wrong way, but I do hope that I won’t be back again! But it is a great comfort to have a good working (and personal) relationships to return to, in case the lucrative world of humanities/religion/biblical education doesn’t pan out.

I will do whatever I can to ensure a smooth transition to my successor in this role, whoever that may be.

Most Sincerely,

Benjamin Giffone, PhD
Sr TMF Specialist
TMF Operations
Clinical Research Services