Lane Merrifield (Billybob) Leaves Club Penguin!

Today was a very sad day for penguins everywhere. Club Penguin founder Lane Merrifield, also known as Billybob, announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Club Penguin Owner and staff member of Disney Interactive. Lane will be taking on a new challenge that he calls, "FreshGrade". With FreshGrade, Lane looks to attack the educational market in hopes of helping kids learn and do better in school! That's pretty cool if you ask me!

His retirement was a bit shocking but Lane went about it in a very respectful and appropriate manner. His announcement was made public with a post on the Club Penguin Community Blog and Lane Merrifield also addressed his Club Penguin staff in the following letter..

"To my friends at Disney:

Five years ago our little company joined Disney and I had no idea then what an amazing adventure it would turn out to be. Since that time, I have had the privilege of working alongside and learning from so many of you and the joy of creating great products together. I appreciate the opportunity and the faith this company placed in me and the ways it has allowed me to grow both as a leader and as a person. I am also grateful for the countless memories this company has created for me and my family. Our team has grown Club Penguin from a simple idea to being the largest global virtual world for kids for seven straight years while maintaining a significant profit margin. I am incredibly proud to have been a part of Club Penguin, and I know that it will continue to grow and thrive.

Like many entrepreneurs though, there comes a time when the desire to create something new outweighs the comfort of what’s known and for me that time has come.

Over the past year, I’ve invested in a new educational startup called FreshGrade that focuses on creating mobile cloud-based assessment software for teachers and students and it has reached a place where more of my time is needed. We started Club Penguin in order to enhance our children’s online experience and now I hope to do the same with their educational experience.

Thank you for the role you’ve played in my journey and I truly hope that even though my business card may change, my friendship with so many of you will not.

With gratitude,
Lane"

I, myself, have been around Club Penguin since April of 2006, so I have been around for almost as long as Club Penguin has been operational. I must say that this is a very disappointing day for myself as well because Billybob has been a big part of my life and my Club Penguin journey. He even visits this site from time to time and he has sent me some emails and a package to my house!

As they say, all good things must come to an end but I truly hope that Lane keeps an eye on things even after his departure. And maybe, just maybe, have it in his heart to possibly come back one day! Hey, maybe he'll still send an email or two our way in the future. We'll keep you updated if anything else develops. Last, I'll leave you with an interview Lane did 2 years ago. Enjoy..

From all of us in the Club Penguin community, we thank you Lane for everything you have done for us. You took a dream and made it into a vision that millions upon millions of kids enjoy everyday. We wish you luck with your future projects. We know you can do it! We look forward to seeing you again one day on the snowy island we call Club Penguin!
- Lebron Jr 23