You could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard that Marion Hammer was agreeing with Buz Mills regarding setting up a search committee to find the permanent Executive Vice President and CEO for the NRA. I had assumed – wrongly it seems – that she was in the camp pushing Charles Cotton to be the EVP\/CEO for the next few years. Something along the lines of “a steady hand on the rudder” as the NRA transitions away from the Wayne era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is her email sent to the Board today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIt has come to my attention that another NRA BOD Member is making phone calls trying to gain support for yet another NRA BOD Member to take Wayne’s job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please, please, stop and think about this. I personally believe we need a dedicated Search Committee<\/strong> to find someone who is actually qualified to take the helm at NRA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Any member of the Board who thinks he or she is qualified for the position can submit his or her name to a Search Committee to be vetted along with other candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a turning point for NRA and a time when we need the most qualified, dedicated person we can find to lead NRA and lead the fight to save Second Amendment rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NRA President can appoint a Search Committee at any time and I believe should do so immediately. Search Committee members can be confirmed or rejected and replaced by the Board of Directors at it’s next meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please, this is a critical point for us and the future of NRA and it’s members is in our hands. Let’s do it right. Under our By-Laws we have a process to fill the EVP position on an interim basis while we search for the right person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please do not be stampeded into anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know that there are a significant number of Board Members who agree that we need a Search Committee because they have told me so.\u00a0 And, I also know that previously another Board Member has emailed you suggesting a Search Committee.\u00a0 And while that particular Board Member and I rarely ever agree on what’s best for NRA, this time we happen to agree that we need a Search Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marion P. Hammer<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Marion’s letter may also be seen as a way to head off those who are supporting Wade Callender to be the EVP\/CEO such as Texas AG Ken Paxton, Utah AG Sean Reyes, and board member Rick Ector. However, while it is probably not her intent, I do think it could work in his favor as an honest Search Committee would have to consider him a candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think the person most disappointed about this letter beyond Charles Cotton has to be Bill Brewer. I got the feeling that Brewer was hoping to maintain the cozy relationship between the leadership and himself so as to keep the money flowing to his firm.<\/p>\n