Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Don't Have Your Honey Where You Make Your Money, Mark Everson, FORMER Red Cross CEO- by Legal Pub


It can be detrimental to job security to violate Legal Pub's fundamental principle: Don't Have Your Honey Where You Make Your Money. Mark Everson, former head of the Red Cross, resigned because of a "personal relationship" with a subordinate employee. According to the Red Cross, this "reflected poor judgment ... and diminished his ability to lead the organization." Bad judgment, yes, but is that fair to ask for his resignation?

Why is it poor judgment? Statistics document that the work place is the number one place where people meet their significant other. "Poor judgment?" Everson is no dummy. He was formerly a corporate executive and commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He was hired as the CEO of the Red Cross in May of 2007 to help improve the charity's public image post Hurricane Katrina. Consequently, at first glance, one would be hesitant to criticize Everson's decision making without more facts.

So, if it is common for work place romances to take place and Everson is a bright guy, why was it poor judgment? Everson is 53 years old, married and has two children. (Enough said.)

Was he fired or did he quit? The Red Cross asked for and received Everson's resignation. Apparently, the Red Cross learned approximately 10 days ago that Everson was involved in a personal relationship with a woman on the staff. The Red Cross board apparently was pleased with Everson's performance prior to learning of his personal relationship with a staff member.

What does Everson have to say? "I am resigning for personal and family reasons, and deeply regret it is impossible for me to continue a job so recently undertaken."

Is there a problem with turnover at the Red Cross? Everson's resignation is par for the course. Two women preceding Everson as president resigned amid conflict with the board of governors. (Bernadette Healy after the Sept. 11 attacks and Marsha Evans after Katrina.) Jack McGuire, served as interim president between Evans' departure and Everson's appointment.
Who takes over the position? Mary S. Elcano, Red Cross general counsel, was appointed as interim president and CEO.

Where does this leave Everson? In a July Associated Press article after taking the job, Everson had said, "My 18-year-old daughter said, 'People will like you now."' After his recent publicity concerning bad judgment involving a relationship with a staff member, it is unlikely that his daughter's prognostication as to his popularity will remain true.
2-3-10 Update: To comment any further on the article, email legalpub@legalpub.com Your comment will then be posted. This procedure is simply to reduce the number of spam posting that has started to occur.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ms. Calabaza, I may fight you over this one. He actually is kind of cute which means he would look good flying around on my broom stick. Plus he could help with taxes!

Shell

Anonymous said...

Good advice legal pub!

Ms Calabaza said...

I agree my friend but we still have to deal with the ex-wife and the girlfriend. I figure by the the time the ex hits him for atleast 1/2 and he puts his two kids through college and then sets up the new cutie - what's left?

MMMmmmmm, he is cute though . . .

Anonymous said...

Oh you two are awful! I pop in and see that Shell and Ms. Calabaza have their sights on an alleged adulterer... (Is that a word? If it is, I did not learn it at finishing school...)

At least Ms. C. is using her head. His assets will be depleted and that will make him less attractive to all involved.

Your Secret L.A. Reader

Anonymous said...

Affairs at work will get you ever time!

Anonymous said...

Everson just blew a real high profile, high paying job. A few moments of bad judgment really cost him!
Janet

Anonymous said...

How is he any different then the Preacher man Paulk that you did a story on?

Anonymous said...

First Rule of the Jungle, if you are going to play, you are going to pay.

So now, you got to accept the consequences.

That may mean divorce, child support and even alimony. But it also means losing your job if you are in a position of trust.

Seeker

Legal Pub said...

Seeker, you do not need to be a Wiccan to foresee trouble if you get caught having an affair. Why not add embarrassment to you and your family as a consequence.

Anonymous said...

Bad news!

Anonymous said...

Gives all men a bad name when one man can't keep his member in his pants?

Anonymous said...

So Mark, whats up?

Anonymous said...

The lines at unemployment are whats up!

Anonymous said...

Handsome guy, but poor judgment.

Anonymous said...

What goes up must come down,
that includes him member. He wasn't smart or cute enough to keep his money.

Anonymous said...

A man whose finances are controlled by his member soon have the use of neither.

Anonymous said...

Mark Don't like spam!