The American Red Cross Board of Governors has announced that Mark W. Everson, currently serving as Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service, will become the next president and CEO of the Red Cross, effective May 29, 2007.
Mark Everson has served as the 46th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service since May 5, 2003. He was effectively the CEO of a company in this regard managing the $10 billion, 100,000 person agency; Red Cross only has 35,000 employees but utilizes the services of nearly 1 million volunteers.
It is not clear how Mr. Everson’s success in the one field prepares him for life in the other. Nonetheless, he appears eager to approach his next job, stating, “It is an honor and a privilege to become part of such a vital and enduring humanitarian service organization. The Red Cross reaches out to those in need in communities across the nation and around the world. I look forward to working with the outstanding volunteers, staff and Board during this defining period in the history of the Red Cross.”
What is missing from the announcement is who is next in line to manage IRS. An announcement is conspicuously missing from the IRS web site about Mr. Everson’s departure or his replacement.