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 <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