ANA Board of Governors Respond To Statements from Former Executive Director

GregL

This was released by the ANA this afternoon:

Following is a statement issued Thursday, Oct. 6, by the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors in response to recent statements by former ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd.

"The former ANA Executive Director and others recently released statements regarding his termination. The Governors of the American Numismatic Association have made every effort to take the high road and not air a private personnel matter. We thought it best to promptly move on.

The ANA declines to disclose those matters because they involve other personnel or third-parties outside the ANA. The decisions to first suspend then terminate Mr. Shepherd were not 'political,' nor made in haste. They were made after a review of the facts and with careful deliberation.

Mr. Shepherd subsequently hired legal counsel who suggested that the ANA has defamed him. The ANA has not defamed Mr. Shepherd and, in fact, carefully avoided making any statements in an effort to avoid a rancorous, public discussion on personnel matters which are normally best left private.

Mr. Shepherd's attorney directed the ANA to have no contact with him, and the ANA honored that request. Yet, despite that directive from his attorney, Mr. Shepherd has contacted ANA Board members, as did his new employer, Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. In addition, Berk issued a news release that is disparaging and denigrating to the ANA, based on opinion, not fact.

The ANA considerately stated that the employment relationship with Mr. Shepherd had 'ended' to specifically avoid a public announcement that he was fired. Berk's release stated Shepherd was fired. The ANA now confirms that Mr. Shepherd's employment was terminated, and in view of all of the factual information reviewed by the Board, correctly so.

This was not a decision that resulted from new Governors coming on board, but it was reviewed by both the outgoing Board and the newly elected Board in an unprecedented joint session. All 12 Governors concluded that it was appropriate that Mr. Shepherd be placed on leave while the matter was under review. After this review, termination followed.

Governor and Past President Clifford Mishler has succinctly summed up the ANA's thoughts on this matter:

"Having participated as a board member in both the hiring and termination of Larry Shepherd as Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association, I want to express my deep disappointment that a relationship that commenced with great optimism has concluded on such a sour note. In both instances the decisions were unanimous. Unfortunately, a commitment which commenced with great promise, transitioned into one of such great disappointment.

Ultimately, the Board lost confidence in Mr. Shepherd as the ANA Executive Director."

It is most unfortunate that Mr. Shepherd has resorted to a public discussion that the ANA cannot comment upon, instead of moving forward in a dignified manner. We are deeply saddened by his decision. Rather than dwell on past mistakes, the ANA will move forward and fulfill its educational mission to serve the best interests of the entire numismatic community.

STONE

Clearly Mr Shepherd felt he was wronged by the ANA in this/these matter(s) and felt obligated to carefully word his opinions publically.
Its Mr Shepherd's word against an organizations. We still do not know what "Great Disappointment" Mr Shepherd may have been
involved with, but apparently it was enough to get him either "terminated" or "fired" (depending upon whose word you go by). If the
ANA feels like it should dance around this issue without publically providing details about the incident, why should we (the public, and
paying members of the ANA) believe it was a justifiable termination?

I take neither parties side on this issue because no specific facts have been disclosed, nor do they seem like facts which will ever be
disclosed publically. I wish the best to both Mr Shepherd and to the ANA.

PTVETTER

It's only a matter of time and the facts will come to light.

The fingure pointing and lack of factual information isn't helping anything at this point in time.

halfcentman

<< <i>It's only a matter of time and the facts will come to light.

The fingure pointing and lack of factual information isn't helping anything at this point in time. >>



Agreed.

RYK

I disagree. I do not believe the "facts" will ever come to light because I suspect that there is more than one set of facts. Employment matters tend to be confidential, unless, of course, there is a lawsuit.

I personally think that it is best that both parties move on. Continuing to refocus public attention on the issue benefits neither party.

If 12 independent governors (both current and former ones) unanimously agreed that Mr. Shepherd should be terminated, there probably was a good reason. We can all use our imaginations as to what the reason might be, but they generally fall into one of a few categories, which have been mentioned in previous threads.

derryb

Well, we now know the cause for termination involved "other personnel or third-parties outside the ANA."

WTCG

Both sides should really do whatever they can to get past his sore issue. That however doesn't look like it'll happen.

If things continue the way they are now the whole numismatic world will learn what and who did whom and when that happens it won't be pretty for either party.

blu62vette

The more each side comments, it just brings up more questions that won't get answered. When I read the ANA ammouncement it brought many more question to my mind rather than answer any. Same with this.

Hopefully both sides just move forward.

Staircoins

It was in Poor Richard's Almanac that Benjamin Franklin first wrote that "Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead."

Too many people already know what happened (beginning with the twelve governors themselves), for the circumstances not to become generally known very soon.

Dealers and others on this board have stated that they know the particulars, and this type of news travels very fast.

dragon

Leave it to the braintrust at the ANA to make about a 500 word public statement and basically say NOTHING except more inane political drivel IMO.

bidask

If 12 independent governors (both current and former ones) unanimously agreed that Mr. Shepherd should be terminated, there probably was a good reason. We can all use our imaginations as to what the reason might be, but they generally fall into one of a few categories, which have been mentioned in previous threads.



I think Shepard made a mistake opening this up to the public.....

Coins911

This shows how poorly the ANA is run. They should have just let it go.

As for the ANA board - "Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt"

LindeDad

<< <i>Leave it to the braintrust at the ANA to make about a 500 word public statement and basically say NOTHING except more inane political drivel IMO. >>



Can someone translate those five hundred words as I still wonder what was said.

RYK

<< <i>

<< <i>Leave it to the braintrust at the ANA to make about a 500 word public statement and basically say NOTHING except more inane political drivel IMO. >>



Can someone translate those five hundred words as I still wonder what was said.
>>


It that there was an employment matter between LS and the ANA that was responsible for his termination. They went through a thorough process to resolve it. They are disappointed that LS and Harlan Berk made public statements commenting on it, as they would have preferred to let the matter rest. They will not be making public the reason for their decision.

mkman123

Does someone have an idea or theory why Shepherd was terminated....

Justacommeman

I agree Dragon about that the ANA statement released today really didn't anything. But of course it did set a spark. It is rather obvious to this reader that the ANA board did not like change that Mr Shepherd brought. Is it possible that some of the ANA employees were disgruntled with change also perhaps?

While that 12-0 vote may appear to be significant on the surface one needs to consider the "source" or "root" of the information the Gang of 12 were fed or given. Garbage in, garbage out? I wonder how many of the Gang of 12 actually spoke to Mr Shepherd and heard his version of the "report" in which they based the dismissal on? Was this report filled with statements from "disgruntled" employees? Could it be that this was the same report/document that was leaked out to some of the numismatic community to sway public opinion? Didn't some dealer(s) make smug references here that they were in the know. Could it be based on this report? Is this the same one sided uncollaborated vicious report that Larry didn't even get a chance to rebuke?

I sincerely hope folks out there use common sense in separating the innuendo from the truth.


MJ

WTCG

<< <i>Does someone have an idea or theory why Shepherd was terminated.... >>



Can't stomach being outside of the gossip circle, huh?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

JCMhouston

Personally I'll just let it rest. However I do think the inflamatory statements by several members of this forum are completely uncalled for. Referring to the elected board members as "the gang of 12" is simply uncalled for. They have a bunch of facts that we don't, he got as many people as someone would for a jury trial and they all agreed with the verdict.

Justacommeman

The Gang of 12 was used tongue in cheek to that of the Gang of 6 senators we have in Washington DC. I'm not aware of anybody on that committee that finds it inflammatory. I was not intended by me to be inflammatory in the least. It was just a play on words and a reference. Sorry you took it that way. MJ

Justacommeman

<They have a bunch of facts that we don't, he got as many people as someone would for a jury trial and they all agreed with the verdict.>

How do know what facts they had? Where did the "facts" come from? Disgruntled employees? Those that didn't like change? Those that bore an ax to grind? What facts? Yes, obviously "The 12" did act on something. Yes they has as many people as a jury trial. But, there was no trial so your analogy bears no fruit. It appears that Mr Shepherd didn't get a chance to defend himself against these so called facts..........MJ

Halfhunter06

The one thing that seems to keep it going is the continued lack of info. Just spill it out and then we can move on.

keoj

First, to those that say both parties should move on, I agree. As someone who has dealt with a couple of thorny confidential personnel issues in the past, nothing good comes from going public. Unless one is fully prepared to go to court, just don't go there. I have no idea why Harlan Berk issued a statement. I see nothing wrong with ANA's response. ANA could have ignored it (and that would have been better), but the statement defined their orrginal position regarding confidentiallity, defined where they thought confidentiality was being being breeched, clarified (from their position) some mis-statements, and redefined their position of confidentiality regarding the mattter.

Time to move on.

keoj

MrEureka

It doesn't sound to me like LS is required to keep quiet about any of this. If he wants to tell us what happened, he will.

Broadstruck

... and in this weeks issue of Soap Opera Digest

illini420

Whatever, the ANA needed to say something. Just about everyone on these boards was bashing the ANA Board for their actions and several said they were going to cancel their memberships over it. Staying completely silent about it didn't seem to be working well for them, especially after Mr. Shepherd came out with this statement. The ANA Board seems to think what they did was right and as a member of the ANA I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until some real facts come out to make me think otherwise.

19Lyds

Personally, I didn't see a need for the ANA Board to even respond to Larry's statement that he didn;tbreak any of the rules.
If they were so "united" on their decision then they should have just stuck to that decision instead of lobbing a volley across his bow.

PerryHall

<< <i>The one thing that seems to keep it going is the continued lack of info. Just spill it out and then we can move on. >>



Agree. Until the facts are known, most dues paying members of the ANA will not move on and many will not renew their membership.

BigE

<< <i>

<< <i>Leave it to the braintrust at the ANA to make about a 500 word public statement and basically say NOTHING except more inane political drivel IMO. >>



Can someone translate those five hundred words as I still wonder what was said.


>>






I find these stuffy statements full of corporate cliche"s
much harder to stomach lately. Being a professional "talking head" seems to be the new wave of the future-------BigE

mingot

let me help:

we really can't say much because we'll get sued.

but, it was unanimous choice made by 12 people.

---

I think that about sums it up.

DonWillis

I have had 3 or 4 people tell me the absolute truth about why Larry was fired.

Unfortunately every story was different.

The biggest loser here is the ANA member. As a Life Member I certainly do not want to regress back to the ways of the past.

I say again, if Larry puts together a slate of candidates he could clean house. He's got my vote.

MrEureka

I say again, if Larry puts together a slate of candidates he could clean house. He's got my vote.

I like Larry and I want to believe in him, but I'd still want to know what happened before I endorsed him.

RYK

I think that the ANA was better off letting LS get in the last word and not issuing this statement. All that it did (at least around here) is reopen the wound.

I am probably like most collectors and believe that the ANA should be about the shows and the education, not drama. If I want drama, I will watch Parenthood or just log in here.

mkman123

hmm so I was informed of a possible theory why Mr Shepherd was terminated.........if it is true, I don't think its good for his image or Harlan Berks as well..........

RYK

<< <i>hmm so I was informed of a possible theory why Mr Shepherd was terminated.........if it is true, I don't think its good for his image or Harlan Berks as well.......... >>


There are rumors abound. If there were not something to the case, there would likely be a lawsuit, and the information would be in the public domain.

Coinosaurus

<< <i>I think that the ANA was better off letting LS get in the last word and not issuing this statement. All that it did (at least around here) is reopen the wound.
>>



Yup. Once you claim you are "taking the high road," you are almost not, by definition.

BigE

The ANA wants LS to speak of the reason first, and LS wants them to. Its The Colorado Springs Standoff all over again-----------BigE

Catbert

In a for-profit organization, there would likely be an agreement that involved going away money in exchange for a waiver of legal claims and a privacy clause - especially for the top executive. This way, no dirty laundry is aired and both parties can move onward with reduced pain. An exception would be if the behavior, misconduct, or performance was so bad that the company decided it could not stomach rewarding such behavior.

In the not-for-profit world, things may be and are probably different.

My tea leaves observation is that whatever LS did must have been significant enough to warrant his immediate termination. Even if such evidence isn't overwhelming , it could be enough (under the idea "where there is smoke, there is fire") that on the whole the association lost confidence in his ability to lead and to set the right standard for his subordinates. I don't blame the ANA for making a limited statement in order to respond to member's public cries of not renewing their membership. The ANA will lose some members over this, but can't afford a massive defection.

Julian

<< <i>I disagree. I do not believe the "facts" will ever come to light because I suspect that there is more than one set of facts. Employment matters tend to be confidential, unless, of course, there is a lawsuit.

I personally think that it is best that both parties move on. Continuing to refocus public attention on the issue benefits neither party.

>>

WTCG

<< <i><They have a bunch of facts that we don't, he got as many people as someone would for a jury trial and they all agreed with the verdict.>

How do know what facts they had? Where did the "facts" come from? Disgruntled employees? Those that didn't like change? Those that bore an ax to grind? What facts? Yes, obviously "The 12" did act on something. Yes they has as many people as a jury trial. But, there was no trial so your analogy bears no fruit. It appears that Mr Shepherd didn't get a chance to defend himself against these so called facts..........MJ >>



So are you stating that Larry's side of the story is the absolute unbiased truth and doesn't have a sliver of pro-Larry bias and his word is gospel and there is a vast conspiracy to have his reputation tainted?

I am not stating that the ANA side of the story isn't possibly slanted in their favor to an extent but to imply that their version is completely false is wishful thinking.

llafoe

I miss High School... that's why I love this forum!

TomB

ANA: Gasoline, meet fire.

dragon

I've had no confidence in the ANA board ever since Virgil Brand resigned.

denga

<< <i>

<< <i>I disagree. I do not believe the "facts" will ever come to light because I suspect that there is more than one set of facts. Employment matters tend to be confidential, unless, of course, there is a lawsuit.

I personally think that it is best that both parties move on. Continuing to refocus public attention on the issue benefits neither party.

>>



>>

Caleb

<< <i>

<< <i>The one thing that seems to keep it going is the continued lack of info. Just spill it out and then we can move on. >>



Agree. Until the facts are known, most dues paying members of the ANA will not move on and many will not renew their membership. >>



Really?
I would wager that less then 5% of the membership would even consider dropping their membership over this.

RYK

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>The one thing that seems to keep it going is the continued lack of info. Just spill it out and then we can move on. >>



Agree. Until the facts are known, most dues paying members of the ANA will not move on and many will not renew their membership. >>



Really?
I would wager that less then 5% of the membership would even consider dropping their membership over this. >>


I would wager that less than 0.5% of the membership would even consider...

It's time to moveon.org.

Frankcoins

<< <i>
How do know what facts they had? Where did the "facts" come from? Disgruntled employees? Those that didn't like change? Those that bore an ax to grind? What facts? Yes, obviously "The 12" did act on something. Yes they has as many people as a jury trial. But, there was no trial so your analogy bears no fruit. It appears that Mr Shepherd didn't get a chance to defend himself against these so called facts..........MJ >>



MJ, Do you really think the ANA board -- many who have spent a half century or more in service to numismatics, would have unanimously taken action to
dimiss Shepherd if there was not compelling evidence of serious wrongdoing, not just people who "didn't like change" or "disgruntled
employees?"

Caleb

<< <i>

<< <i>
How do know what facts they had? Where did the "facts" come from? Disgruntled employees? Those that didn't like change? Those that bore an ax to grind? What facts? Yes, obviously "The 12" did act on something. Yes they has as many people as a jury trial. But, there was no trial so your analogy bears no fruit. It appears that Mr Shepherd didn't get a chance to defend himself against these so called facts..........MJ >>



MJ, Do you really think the ANA board -- many who have spent a half century or more in service to numismatics, would have unanimously taken action to
dimiss Shepherd if there was not compelling evidence of serious wrongdoing, not just people who "didn't like change" or "disgruntled
employees?" >>



There seems to be an over abundance of “blind loyalty” here for Mr. Shepherd. Reading some of the post over the past month or so, one would begin to believe that he can walk on water.

The A.N.A. in all probability made the right decision in terminating his employment. As the saying goes, where there is smoke there is fire. I imagine that the cause of the termination was made clear to Mr. Shepherd and noticed that he made no comment to it in his “press release”.

This vilifying of the Board of Governors makes no sense. Independently, they each acted in the “best interest” of the organization and in doing so they acted unanimously.

Mr. Willis says the “biggest loser here is the ANA member” and “if Larry puts together a slate of candidates he could clean house. He’s got my vote.” I do not believe the ANA members have lost anything out of this but have gained the knowledge that there is a “checks and balances” within our organization and that everyone will be held accountable for their actions or inactions. Could Larry’s slate of candidates clean house, yes and the core of the moon could be made out of cream cheese also. To publicly state that you are going to support / vote for someone no matter how aggress his conduct(s) was to cause him being fired is just an example of “blind loyalty”.

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>There seems to be an over abundance of “blind loyalty” here for Mr. Shepherd. >>

Not to worry- I haven't been keeping score of the posts, but there appears to be no small amount of "blind loyalty" here for the ANA, too.

<< <i>The A.N.A. in all probability made the right decision in terminating his employment. As the saying goes, where there is smoke there is fire. >>

Should you ever be wrongly accused of something, I'll bet you'll be hoping the people who sit in judgement of you don't agree with your saying and convict you on the strength of it.

tcmitssr

<< <i>This was released by the ANA this afternoon:

Following is a statement issued Thursday, Oct. 6, by the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors in response to recent statements by former ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd.

"The former ANA Executive Director and others recently released statements regarding his termination. The Governors of the American Numismatic Association have made every effort to take the high road and not air a private personnel matter. We thought it best to promptly move on.

The ANA declines to disclose those matters because they involve other personnel or third-parties outside the ANA. The decisions to first suspend then terminate Mr. Shepherd were not 'political,' nor made in haste. They were made after a review of the facts and with careful deliberation.

Mr. Shepherd subsequently hired legal counsel who suggested that the ANA has defamed him. The ANA has not defamed Mr. Shepherd and, in fact, carefully avoided making any statements in an effort to avoid a rancorous, public discussion on personnel matters which are normally best left private.

Mr. Shepherd's attorney directed the ANA to have no contact with him, and the ANA honored that request. Yet, despite that directive from his attorney, Mr. Shepherd has contacted ANA Board members, as did his new employer, Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. In addition, Berk issued a news release that is disparaging and denigrating to the ANA, based on opinion, not fact.

The ANA considerately stated that the employment relationship with Mr. Shepherd had 'ended' to specifically avoid a public announcement that he was fired. Berk's release stated Shepherd was fired. The ANA now confirms that Mr. Shepherd's employment was terminated, and in view of all of the factual information reviewed by the Board, correctly so.

This was not a decision that resulted from new Governors coming on board, but it was reviewed by both the outgoing Board and the newly elected Board in an unprecedented joint session. All 12 Governors concluded that it was appropriate that Mr. Shepherd be placed on leave while the matter was under review. After this review, termination followed.

Governor and Past President Clifford Mishler has succinctly summed up the ANA's thoughts on this matter:

"Having participated as a board member in both the hiring and termination of Larry Shepherd as Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association, I want to express my deep disappointment that a relationship that commenced with great optimism has concluded on such a sour note. In both instances the decisions were unanimous. Unfortunately, a commitment which commenced with great promise, transitioned into one of such great disappointment.

Ultimately, the Board lost confidence in Mr. Shepherd as the ANA Executive Director."

It is most unfortunate that Mr. Shepherd has resorted to a public discussion that the ANA cannot comment upon, instead of moving forward in a dignified manner. We are deeply saddened by his decision. Rather than dwell on past mistakes, the ANA will move forward and fulfill its educational mission to serve the best interests of the entire numismatic community. >>



Larry has retained counsel. Two Boards had to hold hands and sing Kumbaya to make this sound more "official," IMHO. I think all of you had better start clearing your calendars for a lot of deposition time.

tcmitssr

<< <i>I disagree. I do not believe the "facts" will ever come to light because I suspect that there is more than one set of facts. Employment matters tend to be confidential, unless, of course, there is a lawsuit.

I personally think that it is best that both parties move on. Continuing to refocus public attention on the issue benefits neither party.

If 12 independent governors (both current and former ones) unanimously agreed that Mr. Shepherd should be terminated, there probably was a good reason. We can all use our imaginations as to what the reason might be, but they generally fall into one of a few categories, which have been mentioned in previous threads. >>



Interesting how the ANA release addressed the new governors. I wonder if Robin, our Boy Wonder Governor who posts here...well, golly gee Batman!