Vegas official declines position

Media scrutiny a factor, he says

— A public housing official in Las Vegas turned down an offer to become executive director of a public housing agency in Little Rock, telling an executive search firm that media scrutiny contributed to his decision, officials said Monday.

The chairman of the commission governing the Metropolitan Housing Alliance called a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. today to discuss what to do next. The meeting will be at 100 S. Arch St. in Little Rock at the alliance’s office.

“It’s a shock,” said Richard Stephens, the commission chairman. “I thought we had somebody in place.We may have to go back to square one.”

The unexpected withdrawal is the latest issue facing the Metropolitan Housing Alliance. In August, the commission fired its director, who had been suspended since May. Later in August, a consultant told the housing commission that the agency “lacks the inhouse experience and track record” needed to administer a federal neighborhood planning grant.

The agency manages about $37 million in property assets and provides housing assistance to 8,000 Little Rock residents through various programs, including more than 2,000 Section 8 vouchers for low-income tenants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Much of the agency’s funding comes from HUD.

The commission has been looking for a new director since August. With help from an executive search firm, the commission decided Nov. 7 to offer Dwayne Alexander, deputy executive director for the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority in Las Vegas, the executive director’s position.

The Little Rock housing commission asked the Florida based Gans, Gans and Associates executive search firm and the housing agency’s attorney, Edward Armstrong-Rial of Little Rock, to negotiate a contract.

A draft of a proposed two year contract, obtained through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, stated that Alexander would begin work Nov. 26, with a base salary of $133,000.

Sometime between the commission’s decision to offer Alexander the job and Wednesday, Alexander decided to withdraw. He notified the executive search firm on Wednesday of his decision, according to emails obtained through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act from Gans, Gans and Associates and the Metropolitan Housing Alliance.

In one e-mail Wednesday, Betsy McCafferty of the Gans executive search firm wrote Ellen Gray, a Little Rock housing commissioner:

“I called him for an explanation and he said the media has been repeatedly contacting his current employer, making things very difficult. He said he thought more about it, it did not seem like a good move. He wanted a couple hours to again reconsider his decision. He never called me back again and he is not answering his phone. I think he got cold feet.”

In another e-mail to Gray later that night, McCafferty said:

“Last Thursday, I reviewed the general terms of the draft contract with Dwayne. When I asked if he would accept the contract following the Board’s approval, he said yes. He even said he would be available to start November 26. I sent him the MHA employment application and background check release forms. I have been calling, texting and e-mailing him numerous times over the course of the past week to get the completed documents. It has been very difficult to reach him. When I talked to him yesterday he told me not to worry, everything was fine and he would call me back after a meeting. He didn’t call me back. I sent an e-mail today asking if he was withdrawing and then I received this e-mail:

Beth,

Thank you for the time and effort you spent considering me for a position as Executive Director. I appreciate your time and effort as well as the Boards time, I am grateful for your offer of employment.

Because I was so impressed with MHA., I had a difficult decision to make. After much thought and careful deliberation, however, I have decided not to accept your offer.

I wish you and MHA. the best continued success. Thank you again for your time and consideration.”

Efforts to reach Alexander about his withdrawal were unsuccessful. He did not return several telephone and e-mail messages left at his office.

Arkansas, Pages 9 on 11/20/2012

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