Metra Board Members Weighing Options On Ex-CEO's Return

By aaroncynic in News on Aug 23, 2013 9:15PM

Metra will hold a special board meeting in the near future to discuss the return of ousted CEO Alex Clifford, reports the Sun-Times.

Board member Jack Schaffer, who voted “hell no” on Clifford’s controversial $871,000 severance package said he would love to bring Clifford back into the fold. “In my point of view, I’d reinstate him tomorrow or this afternoon,” Schaffer told John Kass and Lauren Cohn on WLS Thursday. Clifford’s attorney Michael Shakman said the former CEO is ready and waiting to talk about returning and told the Sun-Times “We’re here and if the phone rings, we’ll pick it up.”

The remaining few members of the Metra board also support Clifford’s return. Three members—Don DeGraff, Arlene Mulder and William Widmer III. A fourth wrote letters of recommendation saying “I personally would love to see him [Clifford] come back.”

Acting chair Jack Partelow is looking at September 6th to hold the special meeting, but even if the board sits down, it can only discuss the matter. Since only 6 people remain on the board, it can only vote on basic business. It needs a minimum of 8 to vote in a CEO. Metra’s next official board meeting will take place on September 20th.