Another Bad Decision by the Red Cross?

Last month, the Red Cross announced the selection of its new CEO, Mark Everson, the current IRS Commissioner. The announcement ended a yearlong search after Marsha Evan’s resignation amid Congressional criticism and widely publicized snafus in Hurricane Katrina response efforts. Everson will begin his new gig on May 29. But with all of the dark clouds surrounding the Red Cross over the last few years, people are already questioning this decision. Although critics have lauded the nonprofit for choosing someone with extensive management and oversight experience, some are scratching their heads as to why the Red Cross would hire someone with no disaster response experience. And what are the thought leaders saying?

Trent Stamp, head of watchdog group Charity Navigator, noted:

“This looks like a splashy move, designed to make regulators and investors happy,” Stamp wrote in an online commentary. “But I’d be shocked if the volunteers and staff are celebrating right now that another high-profile outsider with no nonprofit management experience or Red Cross connection is being brought in.”

Paul Light, an NYU professor with extensive research and publications on charities, said:

“He does not have the set of skills that the Red Cross most needs right now, which is an understanding of the disaster response business.”

Like most folks in the nonprofit sector, I eagerly look forward to seeing some kind of reform in the managment of the Red Cross. But this guy can’t be it. I’m in agreement with Light on this one: “He’s a likable fellow, but he’s going to be far over his head on this assignment.”

Photo by Christopher Peterson