Subject: On Sec. Reville's influence on Gov. Patrick w/regard to UMass board and search committee
December 9, 2010
I'm writing because there is a contemporary issue that could be remedied regarding the search for a new leader of UMASS and the recently-resigned chairman of the board, Rob Manning. I know Rob from early in my business career in the late 80's.
Rob Manning is a tough, smart, principled guy, as well as a good judge of talent and a strong leader.
If you are recruited by him and you sign-up for the team, you will get his full support; and you are likely to be successful.
If the Gov. has interests in the selection of the next president, he should have a representative on the search committee or on a smaller committee that makes the final choice.
The Gov. fails to respect the search and selection process and the people appointed to conduct it when he interferes with a particular candidate or the selection committee, his own interest and expertise notwithstanding.
It's pretty clear that the Governor's interference in the search process caused a big loss for UMASS - the chairman who loves the institution as much as the other important things in his life.
If I were Deval, I'd fix the situation and get Manning and Meehan back on board.
From the Globe: "Manning, they said, felt that his authority to help chart the course for the university's future has been usurped by Paul Reville, who, as Patrick's secretary of education, has a seat on the UMass board of trustees and is seen by some as a "stealth chairman.''
Reville also grossly mismanaged the charter school process. That's two strikes. Do we need to wait for the third?
Get Manning back and let him lead.
Process integrity is letting the board and search committee do its job. It's when the search committee and decision-making process works without interference.
Politicization is when the Gov uses his political power to steer the search from Beacon Hill while the problematic Sec of Ed. Reville whispers in his ear. When Reville's ideas don't win on the board or in the search committee, he asks the Gov to weigh in with his heavy hand. No one dedicating their time and efforts, would tolerate it ...no one. Get Rob Manning back on board.