Recent e-mails deride the qualifications of Dr. Michel to be ARRL’s
CEO. I don’t believe these complaints see the situation clearly, while
not confirming him will not result in improvements.
If
the Board does not confirm Dr. Michel, it will tell the amateur radio
world precisely how dysfunctional the Board has become. It will also
tell remaining candidates for the position that this is a high-risk
quagmire to steer well clear of. Paid professional help resulted in
most of the candidates who applied. No one matching all the
qualifications discussed in recent e-mails applied, though all members
of the Board were asked to encourage candidates they felt met the
grade. If such candidates still exist, they will be smart enough to
avoid what the Board will have demonstrated is a no-win situation.
A
duly deputized committee reviewed more than 50 applicants, interviewed
many of them by phone, discussed their qualifications repeatedly and in
depth, interviewed 3 in person, and came to consensus on one of these 3
candidates. The qualifications relevant to being the CEO of ARRL
include years of experience in various circumstances, with leadership,
administrative capabilities, and personal skills demonstrated in a
variety of ways in peoples’ resumes. Contest skills, QRZ hits, DXCC
counts and other operating chops were not among the qualifications
required. Some applicants demonstrated that they were disconnected from
amateur radio, and they were not selected for further consideration.
Thus, the process identified an accomplished individual capable of
leading ARRL forward. This followed exactly the process that was
communicated to the Board, months ago.
Looking for an
uber-contester or -DXer to be ARRL CEO would be a bit like assuming that
a movie star is qualified to hold public office. The two sets of
skills sometimes intersect, and sometimes choosing based on the first
qualification produces someone who is exemplary in the second role. But
I think choosing someone with leadership, administrative capabilities
and interpersonal skills is more likely to bring those qualifications to
the ARRL. The CEO job description posted on
ARRL.org since 3-5-18 confirms this, listing Amateur Radio skills as number 8 of 8 qualifications (access through
http://www.arrl.org/ceo-position).
It is the Board’s job to identify
and hire the next CEO. If members’ expectations are truly to have a
super-ham, it is the Board’s responsibility to explain to them why other criteria are actually more important to providing them the best possible ARRL.
73,
Greg, K0GW