ANA cans another Executive Director ...

FYI, from the ANA website, posted earlier today ...


================================================== ==

ANA Ends Employment Relationship with Larry Shepherd as Executive
Director

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) -- The American Numismatic Association
Board of Governors today announced that it has ended its employment
relationship with Larry Shepherd, as Executive Director, effective as of
Sept. 20, 2011. The vote of the Board to sever that relationship was
unanimous.

Coinciding with placing Shepherd on leave in August, the board initiated
the process for a comprehensive organizational review of management
issues and employment matters, and engaged the assistance of Employer¹s
Resources of Colorado. The human resources consulting firm has
identified employment policy deficiencies, and provided recommendations
for improving internal operational practices and positive motivational
development as the ANA moves forward.

³We appreciate Shepherd¹s past three years of contributions, but the
Board determined the association needs to move in a different direction
going forward, providing greater focus on its core educational mission,²
said ANA President Tom Hallenbeck.

³The ANA is about more than just being a big coin show. It¹s about our
individual members and member clubs. It¹s about educating our members
and the general public, doing so by creating a positive numismatic
experience for the many diverse segments of our organization and the
greater hobby community.²

Hallenbeck added that, effective immediately, the board has repealed the
fee instituted by Shepherd for ANA member clubs to occupy tables at the
annual World¹s Fair of Money convention and the National Money Show.

Hallenbeck also announced that the ANA is establishing a corporate
governance committee, and that ANA Governor and former President,
Clifford Mishler, will chair a new strategic planning committee.

³We will begin an Executive Director search with a new focus on the
association providing a more balanced approach to serving its
educational mission. We will be seeking a new Executive Director to help
us achieve this objective in a way that will better serve the total
hobby community,² Hallenbeck emphasized.

Shepherd was hired in March 2008. He was placed on paid administrative
leave on Aug. 20, 2011, by unanimous vote of the Board.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered
nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to
study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 30,000
members and the public discover and explore the world of money through
its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its
museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.

================================================== =========


Fer the record, I am an ANA Life Member, active volunteer in numerous
local/state/regional/national coin organizations, ANA Judge (and
occasional Exhibitor), past summer convention General Chairman (San
Francisco 2005) and often share a bourse table with a local deeler at
the annual Summer and Early Spring conventions.

I don't know Larry personally (other than nodding "Hi" to him in the
concession line and/or men's room from time to time), but I have
disagreed with many of the policies put into place (albeit undoubtedly
with the approval of the Board of Governors) during his tenure. He
seemed, IMO, to spend too much time focused on the desires of the
high-end retail coin deelers versus the small-fish coin deelers,
local/specialized coin clubs and individual members.

I disagreed with the decision to "brand" the ANA summer convention as a
Chicago-based show, and hope the Board will revert to a rotating site
location policy as soon as it is feasible. I disagreed with the
addition of the Fall show in Pittsburgh co-sponsored with PAN and hope
it is discontinued. I disagreed with the "No Early Bird Badges" policy
and hope it is rescinded [as a former bourse chairman of a 150-plus
table show, I KNOW that the smaller deelers WANT early birds in the show
to both buy from and sell to ... it's only the high end retail deelers
who want them kept out]. I disagreed with the "soak the clubs" policy
regarding their informational tables at the conventions, and am glad to
see via the above press release that this policy has already been
rescinded. (I have numerous minor nits as well, but these are the major
gripes ...).

I hope the current Board will make sure that the new Executive Director
that they select will adopt a fair and balanced approach to the
organization, interested in addressing the needs and desires of all the
various subcategories of the membership, from the casual Joe Collector
all the way through the Big Tyme Deelers.

--
Ken Barr Numismatics * * * *email:
P. O. Box 32541 * * * * * * website: *http://www.kenbarr.com
San Jose, CA *95152 * * Coins, currency, exonumia, souvenir cards, etc.
408-272-3247 * ** NEXT SHOW: Peninsula CC (Naperdak Hall, SJ) November 6

On Sep 28, 8:43*pm, Ken Barr wrote:
FYI, from the ANA website, posted earlier today ...

================================================== ==

ANA Ends Employment Relationship with Larry Shepherd as Executive
Director

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) -- The American Numismatic Association
Board of Governors today announced that it has ended its employment
relationship with Larry Shepherd, as Executive Director, effective as of
Sept. 20, 2011. The vote of the Board to sever that relationship was
unanimous.

Coinciding with placing Shepherd on leave in August, the board initiated
the process for a comprehensive organizational review of management
issues and employment matters, and engaged the assistance of Employer s
Resources of Colorado. The human resources consulting firm has
identified employment policy deficiencies, and provided recommendations
for improving internal operational practices and positive motivational
development as the ANA moves forward.

We appreciate Shepherd s past three years of contributions, but the
Board determined the association needs to move in a different direction
going forward, providing greater focus on its core educational mission,
said ANA President Tom Hallenbeck.

The ANA is about more than just being a big coin show. It s about our
individual members and member clubs. It s about educating our members
and the general public, doing so by creating a positive numismatic
experience for the many diverse segments of our organization and the
greater hobby community.

Hallenbeck added that, effective immediately, the board has repealed the
fee instituted by Shepherd for ANA member clubs to occupy tables at the
annual World s Fair of Money convention and the National Money Show.

Hallenbeck also announced that the ANA is establishing a corporate
governance committee, and that ANA Governor and former President,
Clifford Mishler, will chair a new strategic planning committee.

We will begin an Executive Director search with a new focus on the
association providing a more balanced approach to serving its
educational mission. We will be seeking a new Executive Director to help
us achieve this objective in a way that will better serve the total
hobby community, Hallenbeck emphasized.

Shepherd was hired in March 2008. He was placed on paid administrative
leave on Aug. 20, 2011, by unanimous vote of the Board.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered
nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to
study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 30,000
members and the public discover and explore the world of money through
its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its
museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.

================================================== =========

Fer the record, I am an ANA Life Member, active volunteer in numerous
local/state/regional/national coin organizations, ANA Judge (and
occasional Exhibitor), past summer convention General Chairman (San
Francisco 2005) and often share a bourse table with a local deeler at
the annual Summer and Early Spring conventions.

I don't know Larry personally (other than nodding "Hi" to him in the
concession line and/or men's room from time to time), but I have
disagreed with many of the policies put into place (albeit undoubtedly
with the approval of the Board of Governors) during his tenure. *He
seemed, IMO, to spend too much time focused on the desires of the
high-end retail coin deelers versus the small-fish coin deelers,
local/specialized coin clubs and individual members.

I disagreed with the decision to "brand" the ANA summer convention as a
Chicago-based show, and hope the Board will revert to a rotating site
location policy as soon as it is feasible. *I disagreed with the
addition of the Fall show in Pittsburgh co-sponsored with PAN and hope
it is discontinued. *I disagreed with the "No Early Bird Badges" policy
and hope it is rescinded [as a former bourse chairman of a 150-plus
table show, I KNOW that the smaller deelers WANT early birds in the show
to both buy from and sell to ... it's only the high end retail deelers
who want them kept out]. *I disagreed with the "soak the clubs" policy
regarding their informational tables at the conventions, and am glad to
see via the above press release that this policy has already been
rescinded. *(I have numerous minor nits as well, but these are the major
gripes ...).

I hope the current Board will make sure that the new Executive Director
that they select will adopt a fair and balanced approach to the
organization, interested in addressing the needs and desires of all the
various subcategories of the membership, from the casual Joe Collector
all the way through the Big Tyme Deelers.

--
Ken Barr Numismatics email:
P. O. Box 32541 website:http://www.kenbarr.com
San Jose, CA 95152 Coins, currency, exonumia, souvenir cards, etc.
408-272-3247 * *NEXT SHOW: Peninsula CC (Naperdak Hall, SJ) *November 6

I saw Larry Shepherd at the Chicago ANA on Thursday (two days before
they suspended him) and at that moment, he looked like a man who had
no overwhelming special cares or special concerns in this world. He
appeared to be a happy and satisfied man. As a long-time ANA member,
it concerns me that we won't know what happened until Mr. Shepherd
files a lawsuit.

oly

On Sep 29, 9:59*am, oly wrote:
On Sep 28, 8:43*pm, Ken Barr wrote:









FYI, from the ANA website, posted earlier today ...

================================================== ==

ANA Ends Employment Relationship with Larry Shepherd as Executive
Director

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) -- The American Numismatic Association
Board of Governors today announced that it has ended its employment
relationship with Larry Shepherd, as Executive Director, effective as of
Sept. 20, 2011. The vote of the Board to sever that relationship was
unanimous.

Coinciding with placing Shepherd on leave in August, the board initiated
the process for a comprehensive organizational review of management
issues and employment matters, and engaged the assistance of Employer s
Resources of Colorado. The human resources consulting firm has
identified employment policy deficiencies, and provided recommendations
for improving internal operational practices and positive motivational
development as the ANA moves forward.

We appreciate Shepherd s past three years of contributions, but the
Board determined the association needs to move in a different direction
going forward, providing greater focus on its core educational mission,
said ANA President Tom Hallenbeck.

The ANA is about more than just being a big coin show. It s about our
individual members and member clubs. It s about educating our members
and the general public, doing so by creating a positive numismatic
experience for the many diverse segments of our organization and the
greater hobby community.

Hallenbeck added that, effective immediately, the board has repealed the
fee instituted by Shepherd for ANA member clubs to occupy tables at the
annual World s Fair of Money convention and the National Money Show.

Hallenbeck also announced that the ANA is establishing a corporate
governance committee, and that ANA Governor and former President,
Clifford Mishler, will chair a new strategic planning committee.

We will begin an Executive Director search with a new focus on the
association providing a more balanced approach to serving its
educational mission. We will be seeking a new Executive Director to help
us achieve this objective in a way that will better serve the total
hobby community, Hallenbeck emphasized.

Shepherd was hired in March 2008. He was placed on paid administrative
leave on Aug. 20, 2011, by unanimous vote of the Board.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered
nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to
study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 30,000
members and the public discover and explore the world of money through
its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its
museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.

================================================== =========

Fer the record, I am an ANA Life Member, active volunteer in numerous
local/state/regional/national coin organizations, ANA Judge (and
occasional Exhibitor), past summer convention General Chairman (San
Francisco 2005) and often share a bourse table with a local deeler at
the annual Summer and Early Spring conventions.

I don't know Larry personally (other than nodding "Hi" to him in the
concession line and/or men's room from time to time), but I have
disagreed with many of the policies put into place (albeit undoubtedly
with the approval of the Board of Governors) during his tenure. *He
seemed, IMO, to spend too much time focused on the desires of the
high-end retail coin deelers versus the small-fish coin deelers,
local/specialized coin clubs and individual members.

I disagreed with the decision to "brand" the ANA summer convention as a
Chicago-based show, and hope the Board will revert to a rotating site
location policy as soon as it is feasible. *I disagreed with the
addition of the Fall show in Pittsburgh co-sponsored with PAN and hope
it is discontinued. *I disagreed with the "No Early Bird Badges" policy
and hope it is rescinded [as a former bourse chairman of a 150-plus
table show, I KNOW that the smaller deelers WANT early birds in the show
to both buy from and sell to ... it's only the high end retail deelers
who want them kept out]. *I disagreed with the "soak the clubs" policy
regarding their informational tables at the conventions, and am glad to
see via the above press release that this policy has already been
rescinded. *(I have numerous minor nits as well, but these are the major
gripes ...).

I hope the current Board will make sure that the new Executive Director
that they select will adopt a fair and balanced approach to the
organization, interested in addressing the needs and desires of all the
various subcategories of the membership, from the casual Joe Collector
all the way through the Big Tyme Deelers.

--
Ken Barr Numismatics email:
P. O. Box 32541 website:http://www.kenbarr.com
San Jose, CA 95152 Coins, currency, exonumia, souvenir cards, etc.
408-272-3247 * *NEXT SHOW: Peninsula CC (Naperdak Hall, SJ) *November 6

I saw Larry Shepherd at the Chicago ANA on Thursday (two days before
they suspended him) and at that moment, he looked like a man who had
no overwhelming special cares or special concerns in this world. *He
appeared to be a happy and satisfied man. *As a long-time ANA member,
it concerns me that we won't know what happened until Mr. Shepherd
files a lawsuit.

oly

I read this article today saying that Shepherd was hire by Berk LLD.

http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Arti...rticleId=24158

This is the statement that Larry Shepard released:

I am proud of what was accomplished during my three-plus years of employment
at the American Numismatic Association.

I worked diligently to restore soundness and trust; and to move the ANA
forward and to bring it up to date with modern times, changing member
preferences, and current technology. I saw the need for vision and forward
thinking leadership, to adjust the ANA to the evolution of the hobby, and I
tried to provide that. I employed new staff and implemented new ideas and
initiatives to prepare the ANA for the future.

I emphasized the need to attract new members with a broader range of ages
and collecting preferences. I recognized the serious challenges that lie
ahead, and realized that they would not be met by looking backwards or just
re-employing the policies of the past. I challenged the Board and the ANA
staff to do the same; to view the future by looking forward, rather than
through a rear view mirror. I realize that many people are resistant to or
fearful of change, but with an aging and dwindling membership base we could
not (and can not, going forward) afford to keep our head in the sand. I knew
that my forward thinking policies and efforts to force the existing staff
and the Board to deal with uncomfortable strategic issues might create some
[dissension] and/or enemies, but I did what I thought was best for the long
term-benefit of the entire ANA community, not just the vocal minority.

Following this philosophy I pushed hard for results and accomplished them.
Over the past 18 months we made great strides in upgrading the quality of
our magazine, thanks largely to Barbara Gregory and her terrific staff. We
greatly improved communications with our members, and emphasized
transparency through magazine articles, mailings and emails. Through the
efforts of RyAnne Scott, my goal of becoming more active in social
networking and introducing innovative programs to appeal to members of all
ages was achieved. We worked hard to increase the exposure and improve the
quality of Summer Seminar, to provide top-flight and affordable education to
all our members.

I created the Museum Showcase to bring the educational benefits of our
museum to our convention attendees. I viewed [upgrading] our conventions and
bourse activities as key components of our overall marketing strategy to
promote the hobby. In response we produced the largest, and perhaps most
successful and acclaimed convention and coin show in the ANA's history.
Despite the obvious negative reference to that in the ANA's press release, I
am very pleased with that.

I have received enormous praise and appreciation from the members and the
dealer community for the job I have done. I believe I achieved for the ANA
member and dealer community what the ANA hired me to do, and I will always
be proud of that fact.

During my tenure at the ANA I have not violated the ANA employee handbook,
or the code of ethics as stated in the ANA bylaws. I did not violate any
provisions of the ANA conflict of interest policy. I did not violate federal
EEOC anti-discrimination or harassment guidelines (sexual, age, race, etc.).

I offered to the general counsel that I would take a polygraph to clear up
any issues or concerns that may have arisen due to unfounded rumors and
innuendo, but I sensed they were more interested in finding a cause than in
finding facts, as evidenced by my being told on Aug. 20 that I would not be
coming back, even before the outside investigation took place.

I want to thank everyone in the ANA community for the tremendous outpouring
of support and encouragement I received during this trying period. I
especially appreciate the courageous ANA staff members who contacted me from
their homes or who expressed their feelings to the numismatic media. These
actions have meant a lot to me.

sgt23 wrote in
:


oly

I read this article today saying that Shepherd was hire by Berk LLD.

http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Arti...rticleId=24158


Nadia Moskver was fired from the ANA at the same time... wonder if Harlan
Berk will hire her too?????

On Oct 4, 12:49*pm, Collector wrote:
sgt23 wrote :

oly

I read this article today saying that Shepherd was hire by Berk LLD.

http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Arti...rticleId=24158

Nadia Moskver was fired from the ANA at the same time... wonder if Harlan
Berk will hire her too?????

Oh my, I'm really pathetic. I'd have never thought of puddy (if that
was indeed the problem), not in a million years. Puddy has to be
covered in the employee handbook.

oly

"Collector" wrote in message
...
oly wrote in
:

On Oct 4, 12:49 pm, Collector wrote:
sgt23 wrote
innews:5f9b842e-141d-4c94-a7c7-1
:

oly

I read this article today saying that Shepherd was hire by Berk
LLD.

http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Arti...&ArticleId=241
58

Nadia Moskver was fired from the ANA at the same time... wonder if
Harlan Berk will hire her too?????

Oh my, I'm really pathetic. I'd have never thought of puddy (if that
was indeed the problem), not in a million years. Puddy has to be
covered in the employee handbook.

oly



I hadn't posted that earlier but that was the explanation, his affair with
her, that I was told back when Larry was first put on leave. I was told at
the time that there was additional problems because she was using her
relationship with the boss to intimidate or harass other employees as
well.


Dallyings at the ANA !!!!??? Say it isn't so. I could easily understand
things like this happening among executives in Congress or in state
politics, or even in Italy or France. But not in the revered ANA. I suppose
it's too late to try to shield my young grandchildren from hearing this
damning information from their schoolmates. Hopefully, they won't abandon
the hobby.

On Oct 4, 3:24*pm, "Bremick" wrote:
"Collector" wrote in message

...





oly wrote in
:

On Oct 4, 12:49 pm, Collector wrote:
sgt23 wrote
innews:5f9b842e-141d-4c94-a7c7-1
:

oly

I read this article today saying that Shepherd was hire by Berk
LLD.

http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Arti...&ArticleId=241
58

Nadia Moskver was fired from the ANA at the same time... wonder if
Harlan Berk will hire her too?????

Oh my, I'm really pathetic. *I'd have never thought of puddy (if that
was indeed the problem), not in a million years. *Puddy has to be
covered in the employee handbook.

oly

I hadn't posted that earlier but that was the explanation, his affair with
her, that I was told back when Larry was first put on leave. I was told at
the time that there was additional problems because she was using her
relationship with the boss to intimidate or harass other employees as
well.

Dallyings at the ANA !!!!??? *Say it isn't so. *I could easily understand
things like this happening among executives in Congress or in state
politics, or even in Italy or France. But not in the revered ANA. *I suppose
it's too late to try to shield my young grandchildren from hearing this
damning information from their schoolmates. *Hopefully, they won't abandon
the hobby.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well, IF it's true (emphasis), it's not the first time. Which is why
I smack my forehead with such great vehemence at my short memory &
overall stupidity. Several years back there was some kind of apparent
female-sharing scenario at ANA HQ that lots of people were then much
commenting on, but that situation was quickly resolved by a former
high-ranker marrying the apparently rather amicable lady-in-
question.

IMHO, Coins always suffer when Puddy is involved.

oly

All this takes is a little old-fashioned investigating.

Early reports noted that "more than one" ANA employee was put on leave.

There were TWO people removed from the ANA employee listing (on their
website).

The other person was Nadia Moskver, a person hired by, and working directly
under, Larry Shepherd.

She was the "Special Projects Manager".

Also a specialist at taking oral depositions.

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.



-------------------------
Greg Lyon
ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013

The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent
those of the American Numismatic Association.