CYD Chairwoman addresses dismissal of executive director
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Turmoil at the top a community-based organization has left a massive void in leadership. The board of directors at Milwaukee's Career Youth Development voted last month to fire the organization's executive director. In the wake of that controversial decision, three board members abruptly resigned.
Barbara Franks, the chairwoman of the board, confirmed the dismissal of Executive Director James Ferguson as well as the subsequent resignations. However, she shed little light on what led to the shake-up.
"That was a personnel decision so I can't be very specific," she said, "In terms of CYD, we believe we needed a slightly different type of leadership style."
When contacted, Ferguson told FOX6 the firing came as a complete surprise but declined to be interviewed. One of the board members who resigned is Ferguson's brother. The sudden changes frustrated many of the youth CYD is supposed to serve, including members of the 'Focused on my Future' program - some of whom made their concerns public.
"The people that was there, they really cared, like they really showed that they cared and now it's like...it just feels different, it ain't the same at all," said D'vonte Welch.
"It's not right," said Donovan Harris, "Why would you remove somebody in the middle of something they got going on with people...we built a family at CYD."
Franks insists stability will return to CYD once it appoints a new director and fills the board vacancies.
"We need a lawyer on the board, another lawyer," she said, "We need someone with an accounting background...we may need someone who has extensive experience in education."
Franks also says she's confident the turnover won't jeopardize the grants and donations that are the lifeblood of the organization.