Wait...I'm confused.

[Goatherd]

Quoting Knutsen Coffees, LTD. April 2006 newsletter:

"SCAA SUCCESSION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The board of directors of the SCAA decided on January 20th to fire Ted Lingle, effective this summer instead of proceeding with the orderly transition which had been set up for next year. Now there isn't time for a proper search for a sucessor, reasonable advertising and screening and implementation of a carefully thought out process which had been put in place in anticipation of Ted Lingle's retirement. In spite of advice to the contrary from the Past Presidents' Council and unanimous input from the attendees at the Town Hall Meeting, the board is apparently determined to find a replacement in the next few weeks. It seems a shame after all the members have contributed over the years to build the SCAA into one of the most important Coffee Organizations in the world, but all the members can do is write to the board@scaa.org and hope that clamer heads will eventually prevail."

Maybe I've had my head in the sand but I haven't heard ANY mention of Ted being "fired" or that the board was looking to replace him in "weeks". This is certainly a different take than I have heard so far. Am I missing something here?

[Keith]

that was basically Erna or Johns interpetation of what was going on. No, I guess he didnt get fired...(though he should be) and yes they are looking for his replacement. Well, not the same job title, but close. I dunno really, frankly the whole thing makes me cross eyed. Maybe someone else can chime in with the actual facts as they are unfolding now...

facts or no facts Erna's position on the matter is very typical of the SCAA's old guard.

[MeanJoeBean]

Most likely John's interpretation. I thought the SCAA had been actively seeking a replacement for Ted since before the financial explosion (or implosion).

-Joe

[123coffee]

Erna Knutsen is a force for good in the coffee industry. She stands for all that is right and bright in the cup and in the hearts of her fellow merchants. She has never been, to my recollection, an SCAA officer or board member. She is simply Erna; the First Woman of the specialty coffee movement. We owe her much, including the coining of the phrase, 'specialty coffee.�

I do not know if the readers on coffeed.com where in the room when Erna spoke at the Town Hall meeting. She was courteous and eloquent, and frail, but her voice was strong and her conviction heartfelt. She may not have said what some would have liked to hear, but there was no one in the room that believed that she spoke for any other reason than her sincere wish for our long term success as a trade group.

Erna Knutsen, the first ever recipient of the SCAA Lifetime Achievement Award, is a giant in this business. When she speaks on a specialty coffee issue it behooves us to listen to her views respectfully. It diminishes us to do anything less.

Donald Schoenholt

[Mark Prince]

Using Nick's phrase once again:

Word.

[Alistair]

anyone know if there any audio recordings of this town hall meeting?