Corporate said today the board of directors had elected Tony Prophet, chief of Hewlett-Packard's crucial $60 billion printer business, as its 10th member. Prophet, 54, replaces Arthur Harper, who retired in May. His election is effective tomorrow.
The printer division is HP's biggest profit center, and Prophet has run it since 2006. Before HP, Prophet was senior vice president for operations at United Technologies' Carrier subsidiary, which had more than 30,000 employees.
In addition to bringing more technology expertise to the board, Prophet adds an intangible: He's African-American, as was Harper. Indeed, after Harper's retirement, the board appeared to have no racial minorities among its members. That was unusual, given Gannett's long-stated commitment to diversity in employment.
This appears to be Prophet's first corporate directorship. Last year, Corporate paid directors fees and benefits ranging from $108,820 (director Susan Ness) to $405,807 (John Louis). Those amounts were largely based on committee work and whether members chose to be paid in cash, stock, or a combination of the two.
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In addition to bringing more technology expertise to the board, Prophet adds an intangible: He's African-American, as was Harper. Indeed, after Harper's retirement, the board appeared to have no racial minorities among its members. That was unusual, given Gannett's long-stated commitment to diversity in employment.
This appears to be Prophet's first corporate directorship. Last year, Corporate paid directors fees and benefits ranging from $108,820 (director Susan Ness) to $405,807 (John Louis). Those amounts were largely based on committee work and whether members chose to be paid in cash, stock, or a combination of the two.
What is the connection between running a printer division and being on the board of a communications firm? Is ther some sort of mimeograph synergy here, or is Gannett merely trying to be a good corporate citizen by appointing a minorty to replace another? Also, do we really need a neophyte as a director. Dont get this. At all.
ReplyDeleteQuota filled.
ReplyDeleteMazel tov! Welcome aboard, Tony!
ReplyDeleteThey needed another conservative thinking lazy-ass board member who brings absolutely nothing to the table but - 'Yes Gracia, that sounds good.' 'Sure Gracia, you should do that.' 'Of course Gracia, that's a great idea.' Oh yeah, appointing this guy is like dropping a grain of sand into the Atlantic...it means absolutely nothing to the long term growth of Gannett. In fact, it probably means the exact opposite.
ReplyDeleteDisturbing that this particular appointment already has prompted two comments with the word "lazy".
DeleteIt's not disturbing, it's quite accurate. Please list all the ways the Gannett Board of Directors is not lazy. And why would they appoint another person who doesn't fit that mold?
DeleteNobody in the developed world has yet figured out how to save the newspaper business. It's ridiculous to expect anybody to pull that kind of rabbit out of a hat unless they have a lot more at stake than $108,820 or $405,807 a year.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the Asians and Hispanics? When will we get someone who is dosabled? What about transgendered?
ReplyDeleteLook, it's a stretch for them to have Black people on the board. Look at how many there are in senior level positions around the company - almost none. So, do you think they would even consider Asians or Hispanics? When Gracia took over, she was hell bent on hiring as many white women as possible - and boy did she achieve that - and then some! So, she and all the other non-minority senior leaders have to be pulled kicking and screaming into hiring/appointing anyone that doesn't look like them. Looks like they caved into the pressure.
DeleteIn point of fact, several are trans.
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