Some people have complained about Summer Reese’s resume, or lack of some specifics they wanted to see there, or how it compares with certain other people’s resumes. I’ve seen her resume and I’ll say publicly is that I think what matters most (especially in the Executive Director job) are someone’s dedication to the mission, accomplishments, energy, ability to get things done, ability to negotiate, follow-through, understanding of finances and leadership, attention to details as well as the big picture, and (especially for this job) an ability to put up with and work in spite of an incredible amount of harassment and BS and an extremely dysfunctional governance. Continue reading Bill Crosier #3: Summer Reese’s Qualifications and Social Security Number
Tag Archives: radio
Bill Crosier #4: PNB Misinformation & Talking about Substance
I want to correct those who keep saying (incorrectly) that Summer Reese broke a tie on whether to renew Arlene’s [Englehardt, the previous executive director of Pacifica] contract. I’ll also state that I voted against the motion to not renew Arlene’s contract. I wanted to give Arlene more time to cut expenses and increase listenership and membership to try to get Pacifica better stabilized, and was willing to extend her contract. But the majority voted not to renew it. Summer also did not vote on the motion to make her iED (also back in 2012).
Continue reading Bill Crosier #4: PNB Misinformation & Talking about Substance
A Money Grab and Lots of Trouble with Lawyers
Originally posted March 24, 2014
Berkeley-A bar complaint has been filed in Pennsylvania against the vice chair of the Pacifica National Board, Tony Norman. Norman, a listener representative from the DC station, WPFW, has been criticized by some for not disclosing when he ran for the board that he was an elected commissioner in Washington DC. The bar complaint, filed in Pennsylvania as Norman is a member of the PA bar, relates to legal papers prepared by Norman on behalf of WPFW-FM’s former manager John Hughes. The WPFW local board has been wracked with conflict caused largely by extensive program changes implemented by Hughes. Eventually members of the local station board sued each other individually and Pacifica as well. Legal filings prepared by Norman on behalf of Hughes were filed without representation (or malpractice insurance) in the DC case, potentially exposing Pacifica to liability. Continue reading A Money Grab and Lots of Trouble with Lawyers
Petition for removal of Rodrigo Argueta from the Pacifica National Board
We, the undersigned members of the paid and unpaid staff at KPFK-FM, request the Pacifica National Board to implement the recall procedure delineated in Article 4, Section 9E of the Pacifica Bylaws.
We are calling an election for the purpose of removing Rodrigo Argueta as a delegate elected to represent the KPFK staff, and as the sole staff delegate from KPFK on the Pacifica National Board, and have him replaced by another delegate and staff director.
Continue reading Petition for removal of Rodrigo Argueta from the Pacifica National Board
Audit Delayed, LA Staff Attempt To Remove KPFK PNB Staff Representative
Originally posted March 26, 2014
Berkeley-The audit, an annual right of passage for most large nonprofits and a requirement for ongoing public broadcasting grant funding, has been delayed by Pacifica’s auditor due to the chaos created by the Board of Director’s power struggle with the Executive Director. Armanino Mckenna, one of the nation’s largest auditing firms, pushed back the start date on Pacifica’s audit, already somewhat late, from the planned start date of Thursday March 27th due to the inability or unwillingness of member station KPFA to provide print or electronic copies of their reconciled accounting records. Continue reading Audit Delayed, LA Staff Attempt To Remove KPFK PNB Staff Representative
Margy Wilkinson names herself acting executive director. Board member attempts illegal seizure of network bank accounts
Originally posted March 24, 2014
Berkeley-Today’s resumption of what passes for the work week at Pacifica Radio was chaotic. Here’s our best summary of what ensued.
A link to the request for an investigation filed at the CA Attorney General by 8 former National Board members on March 23rd can be found here.
Despite a March 20th Board of Directors vote to re-hire recently-resigned KPFK general manager Bernard Duncan into the interim executive director slot, alleged board chair Margy Wilkinson sent out this email today to network staffers: Continue reading Margy Wilkinson names herself acting executive director. Board member attempts illegal seizure of network bank accounts
Former Board Members File Complaint With CA Attorney General
Originally posted March 20, 2014
Berkeley–8 Former Pacifica National Board members from all 5 of the licensed station’s signal areas across the country have filed a complaint with the California Attorney General today. The board members request the AG’s assistance in investigating the chaotic board takeover of network, help to assure the integrity of the charity and to prevent further reckless actions by the board to destabilize the organization and/or cause the nation’s first public radio network to collapse. The non-confidential part of the complaint can be found here. Continue reading Former Board Members File Complaint With CA Attorney General
Occupation At Pacifica Enters 5th Day, More Board Irregularities Come To Light
Originally posted March 20, 2014
Berkeley – The resistance to the attempt to fire executive director Summer Reese by a newly-elected board of directors despite her binding employment contract has entered it’s second week with no signs of slowing down. This morning, support volunteers were turned away due to a lack of space in the teensy office to accommodate them all.
A statement in opposition to the board’s hasty and reckless actions can be found here and is gathering signatures from KPFA’s board members and listeners. Continue reading Occupation At Pacifica Enters 5th Day, More Board Irregularities Come To Light
After director’s firing, WBAI sale is now rumored
March 20, 2014 | From the Villager
BY PAUL DERIENZO | Summer Reese, the executive director of the Berkeley-based Pacifica Foundation, was fired on March 14 in a closed session of the Pacifica National Board. No official reason was given for the firing, which was announced two hours after Reese publicly announced that she had paid the overdue severances of the majority of WBAI’s employees laid off in a financial crisis triggered in part from damage from Superstorm Sandy. Continue reading After director’s firing, WBAI sale is now rumored
New Executive Director May Be Resigned Los Angeles Manager
Originally posted March 20, 2014
Berkeley-The Pacifica National Board, which attempted to terminate Executive Director Summer Reese only 7 weeks after signing a 3-year contract, and still has stated no reason for the rushed vote taken with no legal consultation, is floating a familiar face as her proposed replacement: a recently-resigned manager in their own network, Bernard Duncan who was the general manager at the LA station KPFK until a few months ago.
Continue reading New Executive Director May Be Resigned Los Angeles Manager