This morning, a post inaptly (ineptly?) titled, “Barry Shelley, N1VXY, to Become ARRL Interim CEO,” appeared on the ARRL website. It reads:
At its meeting this weekend, the ARRL Board of Directors did not elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX, as the ARRL Chief Executive Officer. Beginning Monday, January 20, Barry Shelley, N1VXY, will become interim CEO. Mr. Shelley was ARRL’s Chief Financial Officer for 28 years and CEO during 2018 before his retirement. The board has created a search committee to select the next CEO. More details on this and other matters which took place at the board meeting will be released shortly.
My first reaction to this was, “WTF?” (Ask me privately if you don’t get the acronym.) I don’t know about you, but I saw no reason to fire WB2ITX. I thought he was doing a pretty good job, especially compared to the previous CEO. And, in fact, I was getting ready to contact him about the national club coordinator position that he proposed in his January 2020 QST column.
According to some, his selection was not without controversy. I hadn’t heard about this, but one ARRL director that I emailed today about this matter said, “Unfortunately we cannot comment on personnel matters. What I can say is that I personally am committed to ensuring we have a swift, decisive, transparent search process, which is a key difference from the last time.”
Whether or not board members can comment on this because it is a “personnel matter,” ARRL members are really owed a complete explanation. I don’t think that I’m the only one who thinks this looks really bad for the ARRL and the board. I’ll ask the same question I’ve asked before, “What the heck were they thinking?”
Bob, W6BP says
It’d take a lot for me not to renew my ARRL membership, but anything less than a thoroughly convincing explanation for this vote will qualify as “a lot.”
Jeff Bauer, WN1MB says
You won’t get an answer to your question from BoD members, as they’re not permitted to publicly discuss personnel matters – and rightfully so.
Instead, contact WB2ITX: get his take on the matter, permission to post findings, and follow up with the story here.
THAT would be some reporting.
Now I’ll ask you a question: up to the task?
Dan KB6NU says
I’ve already sent Howard an email.
Goody K3NG says
I said Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, too. I made a comment a few weeks ago that Mr. Michel was saying all the right things, but I questioned whether the League would embrace and implement his changes. I guess I have my answer.
Perhaps there will be some explanation in the coming days. The BOD undoubtedly knew this would cause a stink. It’s not good when they don’t have a prepared statement ready and are citing it as a personnel matter. It’s a leadership matter. It’s the a future direction of ARRL matter. This is a big deal.
I’m regretting my life membership.
Chuck K4RGN says
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot indeed. I was impressed by what had I heard and read from WB2ITX. But I’ll wait for facts to become known — assuming they will, at some point — before criticizing the BOD. I’ve seen situations where a charismatic or even a highly effective leader had to be removed for valid reasons. Don’t know whether that’s the case here, but I don’t know that it’s not, either.
Meanwhile I wonder how much longer ARRL can survive with so much internal turmoil. The hobby faces serious challenges, and we need an organization that we can rally around and that leads us forward.
John AJ1DM says
You are all assuming a lot and we know what happens when you assume. It could very well be that there was some unrelated, but unacceptable behavior going on. If the Board received credible reports of sexual misconduct, for example, then they did the exact right thing – fire him, withhold comments, start looking for a successor. I am not accusing Howard of anything. But don’t jump to the conclusion that his firing was purely political, until you actually have some information to that effect. 73 all
Dan KB6NU says
You’re right, John. There are any number of good reasons to fire a CEO, but no reason was given in the news release. So, of course, given current history, people are going to jump to the conclusion that the board is up to its old tricks. When things like this happen in the corporate world, stock prices go down, unless it’s patently obvious that the CEO is just terrible. It’s not so obvious in this case, so it just makes the whole organization look bad and people start questioning why they’re sending in $50 every year.
Eric KC9YJP says
“did not elect” doesn’t really sound like a personnel issue. I too am waiting, but feel that ARRL is a flawed organization. Who can get along with the Board of Directors? Who will want to?
“Unfortunately we cannot comment on personnel matters. What I can say is that I personally am committed to ensuring we have a swift, decisive, transparent search process, which is a key difference from the last time.” While this quote sounds nice, I don’t see any reason to believe it is possible. It would need to start with swift transparency on why the previous CEO was ousted. They have failed at that in my opinion.
Bob, W6BP says
I have no argument with anyone who says that we should withhold judgment until the facts are in. But I do insist that the ARRL tell us the facts.
Paul, K3FU says
Hi Dan,
I commented in more detail in my reply to the Usenet-relayed version of this article on rec.radio.amateur.moderated, but the gist of my reply is don’t expect to hear anything unless either WB2ITX talks, or someone sues. On this point, I agree with some of the other commenters here. And WB2ITX, as it standard for C-level executives, may have a severance package that he might not be able to collect if he speaks or sues.
Ken says
Glad to see others have the same reaction.
Perhaps you can share Howard’s response. I think we would all be interested.
Craig Ayres-Sevier says
The ARRL is a whole ‘nother animal over the years since I first gladly joined in 1984, so distorted that I finally decided to face it and not renew a long-standing membership last year.
T. B. says
Maybe now they will finally give me my call sign. I’ve been waiting since April last year after passing all three tests. There’s no excuse for that level of incompetence.
Bob NZ2Z says
Running a non-profit is a tough job. Costs rise continually (salaries, property maintenance, business insurance, health, etc. At the same time the money coming in never increases at same rate. Then the members want more and more. The leadership os pushed to QRP the organization to do more with less, when that is just impossible.
The life of non-profit CEO’s is only a few years. The burnout rate is high.
Let’s all do two things. 1) be positive and look for a better future in all of this and 2) talk to your ARRL representatives to find out what the see is going on, tell them your ideas, and offer help.
For us the hobby should be about fun. Those who run the organization deal with the business end of things. The have many challenges
Sandy Walker says
In a letter to Howard some time ago, I stated “I wish you all the luck in the world to make much needed changes” I also said I was tired of the political crap in Washington and the ARRL. Both groups were acting like 9 year olds fighting over a ball. I guess my statement was true and I didn’t convey enough luck to him.
Dave Berutich N6FE says
Simply stated, Glad see him gone. Been a ham since 1959. He seldom if ever addressed topics of interest to me. Eyes in the sky not realistic.
Rick Ewing Kd9Bwm says
This is the same old crap that’s been going on for years with the Arrl more interested in making money with the Qst than forwarding the propigatioñ of ham radio This Could Hurt Our Beloved Hobby For a Long Time. Kd9 bwm
Mike N7MSD says
I had to read down to Rick KD9BWM’s comment to find someone who saved me a bunch of typing. Or to paraphrase Bob W6BP at the top, it would take me a lot to sign up (again if I count years ago when I was a n00b).
I’ve said it before and will say it again, the ARRL does not speak for this ham, or for most hams that are not contesters or feeding them lots of $ (Pactor / Winlink comes to mind); ditto for most clubs I’ve tried to belong to. I was hoping the same changes AMSAT went through this past election would happen to ARRL: YEAH RIGHT!
Between this, the patent mine field, our microwave spectrum becoming VERY valuable while 99% of hams couldn’t care less, and the Baofeng debacle and the resulting fallout, I think the future of ham radio worldwide may well be short. The cherry on top is that there is little to excite younger generations as this hobby lacks further and further behind tech-wise while old farts continue to preach you’re not a ham unless you know CW.
It’s all made me leave this hobby before and I keep thinking about it over and over again lately.
Robert Tuttle says
I think people should take a close look at the board minutes from the past four meetings. There was some minor comments about a contract with Mintz+Hoke over the life long learning effort that are there. It appears the board had been asking for a contract with deliverables on the Life Long Learning initiative since May 2019. Dr. Michel appeared to promise a contract several times at previous board meetings. In the October meeting, this appears to have gotten more serious with the board specifying two members be involved in the contract talks. The text does not indicate a contentious contract talk, but appears to be an effort by the board to make a contract happen. This is not likely normal and appears to be a result of no effort to create a contract. Perhaps this was their reason, or a symptom of other things.
I personally found Dr. Michel’s efforts to move the ARRL’s domicile to Delaware interesting. I’m sure it was to take advantage of the laxed corporate laws of that state.
Personally, I can’t wait for the board minutes for this meeting.
Casey Benefield, NZ2O says
A gentleman said the ARRL wouldn’t give him his callsign. That’s not the ARRL’s to give, although there is a VE program/testing. If you have your CSCE, you can get with a number of different VEC’s to get things taken care of.
Even Laurel VEC does free testing, if you need to re-test for a new CSCE and call.
Now, as for this move with the man being removed, I recall some rather abrasive posts on his Facebook around the time of him being chosen as CEO (that I screenshotted), in the realm of national politics. So much so that I ended up blocking him, and a lot of other hams were like…. “Well he just alienated half of us or more, since many of us are older and conservative leaning.” I believe KB6NU took exception to my suggestion that he should probably stay neutral, but my memory may be wrong/fuzzy. I’m sure I have screenshots somewhere of that…… BUT…. That’s all I remember….
I know at the state level here in Alabama, there’s been some cloak-and-dagger stuff going on, including with the state ham tag and a disagreement between our AL ARRL State Government Liaison and the State Troopers (he wants to use the governor’s coat of arms, and that’s regulated by AL law, to require Gov Ivey’s approval, and he isn’t getting a response)….. After asking on Dec 16 the status (since I designed the design he has), he comes back in January saying “Grow up little child.”
I brought that behavior concern to our AL Section Manager who appointed him, and in June the section manager basically told me to keep quiet and would not discuss it. I had been dealing with the liaison’s outburst on IM, after the state troopers made him mad. I reached out again to our section manager, just to be ignored, despite the AL ARRL Gov Liaison officer sending me very off-color stuff like a picture of a sperm extraction machine…. Section manager then considered it “a rant that doesn’t promote ham radio.”
This is how the ARRL leaders squash people who have legitimate concerns, and how younger hams consider leaving the hobby. I’ve considered it quite a few times. I would have sent the FCC a request to cancel my license the next morning, if I hadn’t have forgot my ULS login details…. My fiance pulled me back from that, because there is still ONE organization I’d still like to support – and that isn’t the ARRL.
The ARRL, in my opinion has turned into a dumpster fire, and only the “in” crowd really are paid attention to….
Dave New, N8SBE says
Let’s see…
They just launched a new print edition, “On the Air”, which is only 36 pages, and bi-monthly, for the same price as a QST print subscription. Apparently, they were hoping that the vast majority of Technicians out there that don’t belong to ARRL would sign up for a blind test. How’s that going?
I bet the subscription numbers didn’t pan out anywhere near where Michel was predicting, and that may well have been the nail in the coffin for his plans to “modernize” the ARRL.
I also heard that there were plans to put QEX and NCJ on digital, starting with the January issues — that didn’t happen, and an inquiry has gone unanswered. Looks like a bunch of fails all around.
Gotta’ find someone to blame, and the buck stops at the top.
H.D. Biedermann ve6fs says
wished old wayne green was alive still frm 73 mag. he wouldve gotten it out to the ham public whats going on behinde the scens with arrl . cuz with arrl it s need to know only procal . but something is snfu with arrl they cant keep ceo s . seems start happening when Kay was let go years ago. arrl started falling off the rails. what a shame . just hope they dont end up same gong show as RAC.! incidently ARRL life member over 44 yrs & RAC here
Vince says
The “League” has a wonderful track record of stepping in it right before Dayton and creating a well-deserved stigma that descends over their display at Xenia.
I don’t see how they continue to stand, given the number of times they’ve shot themselves in the foot over the years.
Dennis-K4DL says
What took them so long? I was calling for this in September of 2018.
Jay Jaeger says
T.B.: The path for your paperwork would not be via the ARRL, as I understand things. It should have gone from the Volunteer Exam Coordinators to the FCC. Suggest checking the FCC ULS database and CORES to see if the FCC has your name on file, to confirm your FRN and your license application status and/or ask the VEC group that oversaw your exam.
N5ZY says
I was shocked as well. I was really looking forward to ARRL revising their VEC process to implement electronic uploads and finally hiring someone to provide guidance to clubs that are seeking help, and to the lifelong learning process he has been championing. I can only hope they fill the position with someone who has the same goals. I look forward to my next CQ magazine to see what they say about this. They were spot-on with previous problems at ARRL (biggest example was the antenna/HOA bill).
Patricia Nelson - KE0QXD says
WTF indeed. I was looking forward to the changes that Howard was making, but I guess he was ahead of his time (!)
Michael Tad Parks, W9NOT says
I have been licensed since about 1957, and a Life member of ARRL for over 60 years.
Of all the journals I receive, QST is the one that gets the most attention, although I am not nearly as active as I should be (too many irons in the fire). I have been reading his Second Century columns, especially the one in November 2019 which asked the really good question: “Why are we doing this in the first place?”
As a CPA (Tax Practice), Priest, and genealogist I found that a really good question. And so when I read about his departure, I was shocked to say the least. I’m not about to walk away from the ARRL, but I was very surprised at the abruptness of this change, and the silence about the whys and wherefores. I suppose there are a lot if entanglements concerning departure, but we the long standing members of ARRL really deserve some sort of explanation. Was he just to much of a C-office executive to suit the fact that we are engaged in a hobby? I wonder. I wish WB2ITX all the best in his future endeavors.
Robert (Bob) Wilson, WA9D says
I wrote to Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, the “News Editor” at ARRL who wrote the newsletter article reporting that board meeting. I asked for some openness about what had happened. He replied just saying I should contact our ARRL Division Director. Now I have in the past swapped email with our director, who seems to be a nice guy but also seemed to be one of the principal actors according to the minutes of the BOD meeting, and I think I will do as suggested. But overall this certainly does suggest there is some kind of stink in the background that we are not being told about. I doubt I will drop out of ARRL, I first joined in 1957, but I will definitely try to get some information and see what has actually been happening. I did not like a few things that Michel had seemed to be pushing, but I definitely liked what I saw as his move to open things up! Maybe others couldn’t stand the paying members knowing what they were getting.
9BDXCCer says
I’m a 40 year old know code operator, a winning contester, one who is always on Clublog’s super list and who always tries to fill a dozen or more band slots on any expedition and who donates money to most of the expeditions. I’m leaving my callsign out of this thread but I made up my mind two years ago and on my life, tell you I’m going to be downright not renewing my vanity call or my Extra ticket. I’m so beyond fed up with the ARRL and some of the rule changes/bill amendments that were made a couple years ago that 100% without a doubt sealed the termination with me. Sadly I have close to 2000 DXCC challenge slots and more wooden contest plaques and certificates than I have space for. Yes, ARRL and ham radio I’ll be done after a couple years or so. Look for all my high dollar contest gear and towers for sale online in 2023.
Dan KB6NU says
I’m not sure that giving up ham radio because of the things that the ARRL is doing or not doing makes much sense. If you’re not enjoying it any more that’s one thing, but I can sure enjoy ham radio without the ARRL.
John Sakowich says
This is why I and others refuse to join such a crooked organization.