May 30, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
Trent Stamp is unhappy with the American Red Cross’s selection for the new post of ombudsman—Beverly Ortega Babers. The president of Charity Navigator writes on Trent Stamp’s Take that Ms. Babers appears to be “an impressive woman” with degrees from good schools, a long career of public service, and a working knowledge of the legal system.
So what’s the problem? She was formerly chief of staff to Mark Everson, the Red Cross’s new chief executive, when he was commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Stamp says her ties to Mr. Everson will make it difficult for her to play the role of the “lone independent voice and the donor’s eyes and ears at America’s most-important nonprofit.”
“Would it have been too much to ask the the new ombudsman at the Red Cross be neither a long-time employee of the organization nor a political ally. . .of the new leader of the charity?” he says.
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