The Evolution of DAN

With Peter B. Bennett's resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer at DAN now complete, the complexion of the DAN Board of Directors is likely to alter radically.

Both Board Chairman R. W. "Bill" Hamilton, Ph.D., and member Leon J. Greenbaum, Jr., Ph.D., have completed their terms. Wolcott Henry has resigned, citing "too much to do," but insiders say that that the stresses of removing Bennett just plain burned him out. Dr. Dawn Mancuso was appointed to replace him, but she resigned before her first meeting, vaguely stating that "things came up." And members Dick Long and Karen B. Van Hoesen, M.D., may not be returning.

The Henry and Mancuso resignations occurred after a second article on the Bennett-Board power struggle appeared in an article in the Durham Independent, a piece that was notably uncomplimentary of Bennett. Although Hamilton, board member Dick Long (who spearheaded the Bennett ouster), and board attorney William M. Ziefle, J.D., were all interviewed and quoted, the article apparently took the powers that be at Duke and the rank and file at DAN by complete surprise.

Part of the agreement for Bennett's leaving without further litigation and acrimony was that the board produced two statements: one acknowledging Bennett's stature and contributions, and a second exonerating him of wrongdoing or financial misappropriation. According Dr. Frans Cronje, representative of IDAN on the DAN America Board, at the Board's August 15 meeting both of these were approved and should soon be entering the public domain.