Anyone know why the ATC's new 1st female Pres./CEO Suzanne Dixon resigned abruptly?

[crazylegs76]

Been catching up on the summer's events and noticed that after only 22.5 months of service Ms. Dixon is leaving the ATC. Weird she wouldn't make it a round 2 years. (Her predecessor Ron Tipton went 4 years.) She also departs after much fanfare surrounding her arrival to continue her career. By contrast only a few sentences mention her replacement Ms. Marra in the announcement of her departure. She's also taking leave before her departure to be with family. And not ease the transition? The only thing that stands out to me is that the announcement came just 2 months after her rousing AT Strong speech at Trail Days in the wake of the tragedy. I was there and she didn't seem like a leader just days away from giving up her position.

[crazylegs76]

http://appalachiantrail.org/home/com...to-replace-her

[One Half]

people have lives and families and some times the job they have has to take a back seat to something else.

[crazylegs76]

people have lives and families and some times the job they have has to take a back seat to something else.

Right. But this isn't a job as the GM at an Applebee's. Usually when one signs on to be the president and CEO of a major organization like the ATC there's an expectation as part of the hiring process that there be a 3-5 year commitment. Especially an outside hire where a search was conducted. Dixon spent 20 years at her last job and intends to continue her career. In the big scheme of things 22.5 months is sticking your head in the door - hell it takes about a year to master a new gig like that. I wondered if it had something to do with the recent tragedy as her sudden, and apparently unexpected departure, comes directly on its heels.

[FrogLevel]

How could she or anyone in the ATC have prevented the incident on trail?

I'd bet she found a better or higher paying job. There's no point in having loyalty to your employers these days so I don't blame her if that's the case.

[crazylegs76]

[QUOTE=FrogLevel;2253917]How could she or anyone in the ATC have prevented the incident on trail?

I think this was the preventable incident that would have got lots of folks terminated for so many reasons that are obvious it isn't worth listing them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPGLGZt_4A

[FrogLevel]

[QUOTE=crazylegs76;2253929]

How could she or anyone in the ATC have prevented the incident on trail?

I think this was the preventable incident that would have got lots of folks terminated for so many reasons that are obvious it isn't worth listing them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPGLGZt_4A

How can the ATC prevent a crazy person with an axe from killing someone on the trail?

[gpburdelljr]

Right. But this isn't a job as the GM at an Applebee's. Usually when one signs on to be the president and CEO of a major organization like the ATC there's an expectation as part of the hiring process that there be a 3-5 year commitment. Especially an outside hire where a search was conducted. Dixon spent 20 years at her last job and intends to continue her career. In the big scheme of things 22.5 months is sticking your head in the door - hell it takes about a year to master a new gig like that. I wondered if it had something to do with the recent tragedy as her sudden, and apparently unexpected departure, comes directly on its heels.

In post #11 of the following thread, it was pointed out that of the 8 president/CEOs in ATC history, only 3 have lasted more than 2 years. So this is not unusual.

https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...=Suzanne+dixon

[4eyedbuzzard]

Or, maybe she wasn't doing as good a job as the directors wanted? There were some minor deficiencies in their latest audit, but most organizations have a few, so I doubt that's it. FWIW, ATC isn't what I'd call a "major organization". It has about $10 million / year in revenue. Monetarily, maybe 1/3 the size of AMC, 1/20 the size of Sierra club. But, the scope of the asset management part (the AT and corridor) is a huge public trust. CEO/President pay for her predecessor, Tipton, was about $200K. A nice income, but not exactly Wall Street money either. If you read her profile on linkedin.com most of her prior jobs seemed more focused on fundraising/development than trust management. Also, her replacement, Sandra Marra, is/was her boss - the Chairman of the Board of ATC. So, maybe the boards' vision wasn't being carried out to their satisfaction. Or maybe she just wasn't a good fit. Or she got a better job. Or she wants to thru-hike and her crummy employer wouldn't give her a leave of absence Could be anything.

[crazylegs76]

Or, maybe she wasn't doing as good a job as the directors wanted? There were some minor deficiencies in their latest audit, but most organizations have a few, so I doubt that's it. FWIW, ATC isn't what I'd call a "major organization". It has about $10 million / year in revenue. Monetarily, maybe 1/3 the size of AMC, 1/20 the size of Sierra club. But, the scope of the asset management part (the AT and corridor) is a huge public trust. CEO/President pay for her predecessor, Tipton, was about $200K. A nice income, but not exactly Wall Street money either. If you read her profile on linkedin.com most of her prior jobs seemed more focused on fundraising/development than trust management. Also, her replacement, Sandra Marra, is/was her boss - the Chairman of the Board of ATC. So, maybe the boards' vision wasn't being carried out to their satisfaction. Or maybe she just wasn't a good fit. Or she got a better job. Or she wants to thru-hike and her crummy employer wouldn't give her a leave of absence Could be anything.

You're only talking about the transparent non-profit and not the for-profit sister company where the real cash is. Look closer.

[4eyedbuzzard]

You're only talking about the transparent non-profit and not the for-profit sister company where the real cash is. Look closer.

Look where? I've read ATC's (and others) financial statements and irs 990's for many years. There are corporate partners/sponsors which generate revenue to ATC, bit I know of no for profit ATC entity. I really don't think there's a deep state conspiracy here.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[double d]

Look where? I've read ATC's (and others) financial statements and irs 990's for many years. There are corporate partners/sponsors which generate revenue to ATC, bit I know of no for profit ATC entity. I really don't think there's a deep state conspiracy here.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Couldn't agree more with you 4eyedbuzzard, as most non-profits that are the size of ATC have many regulations/rules that they have to publically disclose their revenue, both within the organization and their expenses/payments (salaries, operational expenses, etc.).

[crazylegs76]

Couldn't agree more with you 4eyedbuzzard, as most non-profits that are the size of ATC have many regulations/rules that they have to publically disclose their revenue, both within the organization and their expenses/payments (salaries, operational expenses, etc.).

So where do the proceeds of Darn Tough socks with the ATC logo on the ankle for a hundred bucks a pop at the ATC store go?

[Lone Wolf]

so if it was a male ceo that resigned after 22 months would you question it?

[crazylegs76]

so if it was a male ceo that resigned after 22 months would you question it?

Yes. And if it were a male the ATC wouldn't have trumpeted his gender at their press release when he took the job as if gender mattered. Because we're all equal. Right? Of course Ron Tipton lasted for 2 years and 2 months longer than a female much his junior who wasn't apparently up to snuff. What are we to learn from this? Are we all indeed equal?

I think this was an ATC fumble and the completely inappropriate 'AT Strong' speech Dixon gave from the roof of the very bus used to carry the killer closer to his victims is emblematic of a history of poor judgement from a now skipperless ship with a broke rudder and no compass. Not to mention that ancient shuttle has no seats or seatbelts and is used to plug a business that Dixon plugged while exonerating the boob who gave aid and comfort to an enemy of hikers. If I was Stronghold's folks I'd puke at seeing that!

Question "authority"!

[Crossup]

I got an ear full on this topic from a person who works at the mid Atlantic ATC office and the gist was she was not a good fit for the job and vice versa. It sounded like the organization needed someone to keep it on course rather than to change direction.

[crazylegs76]

I got an ear full on this topic from a person who works at the mid Atlantic ATC office and the gist was she was not a good fit for the job and vice versa. It sounded like the organization needed someone to keep it on course rather than to change direction.

Well, looks like someone knows how to answer a question without a question! Thank you. That's what I thought.

[gpburdelljr]

I got an ear full on this topic from a person who works at the mid Atlantic ATC office and the gist was she was not a good fit for the job and vice versa. It sounded like the organization needed someone to keep it on course rather than to change direction.

Sounds like a disgruntled employee venting, not fact. Until there are some verifiable facts, it’s nothing but gossip.

[crazylegs76]

https://www.facebook.com/thehikeryea...6980278959984/

https://www.facebook.com/thehikeryea...8914744447509/

[Traveler]

Ah well, Facebook orations. Who can argue with that.