LDS for-profit arm restructuring

[_Gadianton]

I agree TAK, this position is 90% explainable by nepotism.

It doesn't really bother me though, because that's how the business world works. Most of the time its worked out on the golf course.

And in this case, since running the for-profit arm of the church reasonably has nothing to do with God, and the for-profit arm isn't answerable to shareholders, I really don't see the problem with hiring a family member or a good buddy.

If I had my own business, I'd hire someone I know and trusted first too.

[_karl61]

Article .. “ Willes, a nephew of former LDS President Gordon Hinckley, took over the job March. 2… "

Mormon church practicing nepotism? SHOCKED!

Here's an admiring but useful profile of Mark Willes (whom I know and respect):

http://marriottschool.BYU.edu/marriottm ... oc=feature

(Like all significant corporate leaders, he has admirers and detractors.)

If, having read his profile, you still want to believe that nepotism was a principal or even significant factor in his recent assignment to head up the Church's for-profit enterprises -- that his relatively close kinship to President Hinckley, who has been dead for more than a year, was decisive rather than his doctorate from Columbia, his connection with the Wharton School of Business, his experience at the Federal Reserve Bank and General Mills and the Times-Mirror Corporation, his loyal service to the Church as a stake and mission president, and the like -- you're certainly free to do so. But I think it'll tell more about you than about him.

HE'S BACK!

[_harmony]

you're certainly free to do so. But I think it'll tell more about you than about him.

Thank you. It's been a while since I let you think for me, so I'll have to pass on this one too.

But why do you think he was hired? I repeat from earlier: What is it he's going to fix (besides an antiquated and totally unwieldy communication system)? Are they losing money? Will they restructure their management? Lay off workers? Ask for tithing money to bail them out?

[_TAK]

Here's an admiring but useful profile of Mark Willes (whom I know and respect):

http://marriottschool.BYU.edu/marriottm ... oc=feature

(Like all significant corporate leaders, he has admirers and detractors.)

If, having read his profile, you still want to believe that nepotism was a principal or even significant factor in his recent assignment to head up the Church's for-profit enterprises -- that his relatively close kinship to President Hinckley, who has been dead for more than a year, was decisive rather than his doctorate from Columbia, his connection with the Wharton School of Business, his experience at the Federal Reserve Bank and General Mills and the Times-Mirror Corporation, his loyal service to the Church as a stake and mission president, and the like -- you're certainly free to do so. But I think it'll tell more about you than about him.

Well of course you know him!! Why would anyone think otherwise?

Actually upon further consideration I suspect nepotism is secondary to the need to have an insider that can be trusted not to divulge LDS financial secrets to the outside world. The fact that they turned to a guy who has been unemployed the last ten years and was run off from Times Mirror after his most notable contribution; the closing of two newspapers including the venerable NY Daily News; ought to send shivers down your lapdog Scottie’s spine. Can the DesNews be far behind? Just wondering.. what experience does Brother Willes have with real estate debacles?

Like I said.. Deck chairs come to mind.

[_antishock8]

Here's an admiring but useful profile of Mark Willes (whom I know and respect):

http://marriottschool.BYU.edu/marriottm ... oc=feature

(Like all significant corporate leaders, he has admirers and detractors.)

If, having read his profile, you still want to believe that nepotism was a principal or even significant factor in his recent assignment to head up the Church's for-profit enterprises -- that his relatively close kinship to President Hinckley, who has been dead for more than a year, was decisive rather than his doctorate from Columbia, his connection with the Wharton School of Business, his experience at the Federal Reserve Bank and General Mills and the Times-Mirror Corporation, his loyal service to the Church as a stake and mission president, and the like -- you're certainly free to do so. But I think it'll tell more about you than about him.

Well of course you know him!! Why would anyone think otherwise?

Actually upon further consideration I suspect nepotism is secondary to the need to have an insider that can be trusted not to divulge LDS financial secrets to the outside world. The fact that they turned to a guy who has been unemployed the last ten years and was run off from Times Mirror after his most notable contribution; the closing of two newspapers including the venerable NY Daily News; ought to send shivers down your lapdog Scottie’s spine. Can the DesNews be far behind? Just wondering.. what experience does Brother Willes have with real estate debacles?

Like I said.. Deck chairs come to mind.

I think it's pretty clear that he's a Corporate man through and through. And by Corporate man I mean a dedicated and trusted member of the Mormon church. His hire seems like a common sense move by the corporation he has served his entire life.

[_cinepro]

Honestly, I can't figure out what the issue is with this guy getting hired. Has anyone raised a single shred of doubt about Willes' credentials? Certainly, he made some miscalculations in his handling of the LA Times, but shouldn't we ask whether that challenge is analogous to the challenges he faces with the Church's for-profit endeavors? And ultimately, any success he may have had in the newspaper business may have been forestalling the inevitable. Although this article seems to offer a more positive take on Willes' stint at the LA Times.

In the end, I'm sure there are other people the Church could have gotten for the job, but I don't know enough about the pool of qualified, available applicants to argue that they passed up better people.