This mutual bashing here is inappropriate and infecting this nice thread with a very bad taste.
I think this project needs a foundation with several trusted members and a multi sig wallet (who will these members be? good question).
Other than that I have to say honestly that I do not feel we currently have any sufficiently trustworthy willing candidate to take over the helms (Sorry guys, but this is my feeling, nothing personal).
I liked the fact that this project took decisions by voting and that people where willing to volunteer. That was the spirit that mde this project something different.
this is why the best option is for a voted in foundation , it is people volunteering their time to act as a foundation member expanding the reach of elastic and promoting it , no foundation member would be paid for such a role .
These positions could also be regularly voted for , every 6-12 months , this keeps fresh blood , while incentivizing those in their foundation positions to work their ass off to keep their position , no able to safely do whatever without fear of if doing poorly they will be replaced.
There isn't anyone really qualified except perhaps the main 3-4 people who have been doing the 99% of the work already done but have already voiced their not wanting to be on foundation . This is why it would be safer and better to have 3-5 foundation board members. No one person who has been with the project from the beginning has the skills so we can combine the skills and abilities of multiple people , while allowing that to provide more safety to decision making in regards to foundation work.
One of the foundations main passive goals should also be on working towards automation or decentralization of the foundation so that in the future the holders of the coin are effectively the foundation , decentralizing it and removing the centralization of potential power from a small amount of peoples