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# Jimbo Wales has left the building?
- URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/jimbo-wales-has-left-the-building/
- Published: 2006-10-31T20:36:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-25T03:38:40.000Z
- Author: Chris Messina
- Tags: Asides, Open source, Technology

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't it kind of significant that [Jimmy Wales](http://blog.jimmywales.com/?ref=chrismessina.me), one of the main drivers behind [Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/?ref=chrismessina.me), [Wikimedia](http://www.mediawiki.org/?ref=chrismessina.me) and [Wikia](http://wikia.com/?ref=chrismessina.me), [has stepped down as chair of the Wikimedia Foundation](http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikimedia%5Fchair%5FJimmy%5FWales%5Fsteps%5Fdown?ref=chrismessina.me)? Or is this just normal [board reorganization](http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Press%5Freleases/Wikimedia%5FFoundation%5Fboard%5Freorganised?ref=chrismessina.me) within a non-profit? According to Jimmy, he's too busy. Okay, I could probably buy that.

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### 💬 Comments from the original post

**[Eugene Eric Kim](http://www.eekim.com/blog/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-10-31 21:40:29

If he were resigning from the board, then it would be significant. Stepping down as chair, probably not so much, especially with Florence taking over. She is more than worthy, and he is definitely busy.

**[Chris Messina](http://factorycity.net/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-10-31 21:46:31

Ah k. Figured as much. Thanks for the clarification!

**[Scott Kveton](http://kveton.com/blog?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-11-02 16:42:01

I spoke with Jimmy last night and it sounded like he just wanted to be able to focus more time on Wikia. Wikia is really starting to take off and I would guess its a combination of wanting to stay focused as well as maybe deal with questions around conflict of interest. That last part is pure conjecture on my part ... :-)