He doesn't have to SPEAK to shareholders, only listen to them/us. A good way to do that is to do what probably hundreds of others do - lurk on this forum.  Further, as a retail shareholder himself, his interests should mirror our interests.  And, BTW, he used to be an avid poster, in vigorous communication with the rest of us willing to post, so he should have a real good "feel"....

So you can question the value of his participation on the Advisory Board all you want, but the bottom line is are we better off with him there, or without?  Going a step further, how could he possibly hurt us (without hurting himself)?  

BTW, I doubt he is compensated for his efforts, and if he is, I doubt it's much.  And having very likely signed an NDA, he is prohibited from trading news before it hits.

JMHO,

SGE