NPR's succession plan put Slocum at the top

When NPR general counsel Joyce Slocum took over after Vivian Schiller's March departure, "the move was sudden, but not unscripted," notes Law.com. In 2009 NPR’s board of directors drew up a succession plan that designated Slocum as the replacement if Schiller left unexpectedly. Carol Cartwright, vice-chair of NPR’s board, says one of the main attractions was that Slocum didn't want the job. “We did not want an interim c.e.o. who would be actively pursuing the role on a permanent basis,” Cartwright says.