The American Red Cross announced that it had asked for the resignation of president and CEO Mark W. Everson when it was discovered he was in a relationship with a subordinate. He willingly resigned, and his resignation is effective immediately.
The Board set in Mary S. Elcano, currently the General Counsel, as the interim President and CEO, according to their press release. The release added that there is already a search committee in place to find a successor.
Bonnie Hunter, Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross, said: "Although this is difficult and disappointing news for the Red Cross community, the organization remains strong and the life-saving mission and work of the American Red Cross will go forward. Mary Elcano, who has ably served as our General Counsel for the past five years, will continue to provide leadership, stability and continuity until a successor is chosen."
While it's a dumb thing to do in any leadership position, this is especially self-serving in relationship to the mission and purpose of the Red Cross.
The potential for distraction and problems is so obvious, it makes you wonder how people can get themselves into these types of situations in today's leadership climate and expectations.
This was just plain dumb by Everson. I'm glad the organization moved so quickly to take care of it and not give the circumstance legs to impact the organization in any big way.
Leaders in any position must do better than this.
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