On Friday, October 17, shortly after 5 p.m., Charlie Crawford, ACB's executive director since November of 1998, released the following statement:
"This is to advise that ACB President Chris Gray and myself have just concluded negotiations acceptable to both parties with respect to the following. I am tendering my resignation as ACB executive director effective this day due to irreconcilable differences in management philosophy. I will not be at liberty to discuss the agreement or the reasons for its coming into existence, but I will of course remain an active and supportive member of the best organization of the blind in this nation."
Two days thereafter, ACB president Chris Gray released the following announcement on ACB's "Leadership" e-mailing discussion list:
Dear ACBers:
The board of directors of the American Council of the Blind has accepted the resignation of Charles Crawford as executive director of this organization, effective October 17, 2003. Doubtless, most will have read Charlie's announcement which summarizes the reasons for the resignation.
Had the timing of these events worked out differently, I would have sent a brief message such as this to you before now, slightly more than two days after Charlie's resignation. Unfortunately, I was away from my computer while attending the convention of the California Council of the Blind in Los Angeles. Some of you may have heard some brief remarks I made on this topic during the CCB banquet that I believe were broadcast on ACB Radio's coverage of our state convention.
As I said yesterday evening in Los Angeles, Charlie's resignation will create significant change for our organization as does the transition from any executive director to another. By working together we will overcome these difficulties, whatever they prove to be.
Finally, rather than focus on the negative, I choose and encourage all of you to focus on the positive. Let us be mindful of the many excellent contributions Charlie Crawford has made to this organization. Charlie's vision and advocacy have led ACB into new arenas and created many successes for us. And while Charlie is leaving a staff position within this organization, he made it very clear he is not leaving the organization. I know that Charlie will strive to be a positive contributing force within ACB.
On behalf of the board of directors and myself personally, I wish Charlie every success and look forward to his involvement in ACB in the future.
I recognize that this brief statement leaves many unanswered questions. To some questions, answers may be deemed by a few to be inadequate due to the restraints of confidentiality adopted by the ACB board of directors and Charlie Crawford. Many other answers will be outlined in a longer message I will be sending within two or three days. Please accept these comments as the beginning of my communications to you about plans and activities for the next several months as we work to seek a new executive director and keep the affairs of ACB moving forward in a positive and progressive direction.
Sincerely,
Chris Gray, President