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Dean Kamen has voluntarily resigned from the FIRST® Board of Directors and will withdraw from FIRST activities effective immediately. Dean made this decision in the best interest of FIRST to avoid potential distractions to its many stakeholders. As the Founder of FIRST, Dean established the foundation for the organization’s profound impact, and his many years of service are greatly appreciated.
The independent review by the FIRST Board found no evidence of misconduct by Dean. Nonetheless, Dean has acknowledged errors in judgment by not avoiding any connection with Jeffrey Epstein and his associates after Epstein’s conviction in 2008.
The FIRST community is strong. We will remain focused on our mission and on the millions of people around the world who have been inspired by FIRST’s transformative activities. The Board will continue to support FIRST and celebrate its exceptional community of teams, mentors, and volunteers.