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Chase continues to stand by my side as the last of the Directors leave the boardroom.
“Val, you’re the new CEO? I guess Carlucci’s will need a replacement for your uncle. I didn’t think that’s what you wanted.”
Ellen and Dave come over; they both have smiles on their faces.
“Val, congratulations,” Dave says sincerely.
Ellen smiles and states, “You’ll do a great job as CEO, Val.”
I pull away from Chase and then turn to look at all three of them.
“Guys, I’m not taking over as CEO of Carlucci Software.”
Forty-Four
Chase
“Good,” I say with relief.
“You’re not? Then who is?”
Ellen and Dave both ask at one time.
Val gives a proud smile, “I recommended to the board that it be a shared responsibility. Two Co-CEOs. While most companies only have one CEO, some are having great success with Co-CEO positions. I think a good balance of work and family is important.”
“That’s a great idea. So, who will be Co-CEO with you?” Asks Ellen.
“Who do you think they’ll pick?” Dave asks Val.
“I don’t know who the board will select. Even though I have a controlling interest, I feel the board should make most of these types of decisions. However—“
Val stops and looks at Ellen, “I made a recommendation. I recommended Ellen Stone and Beth Smith from gaming for joint leadership.”
Ellen looks stunned, and then her eyes begin to light up at the thought, “Thanks, Val. I love the idea of joint leadership. Beth knows the gaming side very well. We’ve worked on other projects together. She and I get along great.”
“I know; that’s one of the reasons I made the recommendation. But, Ellen, I only made a recommendation. It will be up to you and Beth to show the board what you’re capable of.”
I’m so glad Val isn’t interested in being CEO or Co-CEO of Carlucci’s.
“Val, can you leave with me now?” I ask in a low voice.
“I’d like to, but I need to let the team know, then–”
“Val, as future Co-CEO, I can let our team know,” Ellen states firmly. “Also, I’ll need to put together an official announcement regarding Victor’s arrest. One immediately for the company and for the Press by the end of the day. I’ll get Serena White, our attorney, involved.”
“Thank you, Ellen,” Val and I both say, but Ellen is already walking away with Dave issuing orders about what needs to be done. It looks like the company will be in good hands.
“So, you’re free?”
“I’m all yours.”
I smile smugly at her words.
We leave the boardroom, and I notice the buzz of voices. People are obviously discussing what happened. They probably saw the police escorting Victor Carlucci out of the building, and now they are curious and want all the sordid details. Everyone loves a scandal.
I grab Val’s hand, “I think we need to take the stairs.”
She agrees and follows me to the stairwell. We avoid the lobby and take a back hallway out to the parking garage.
