SALINAS, CA, February 28, 2013—Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) today announced that Matt Gerlach, named earlier this month to the CEO position at SVMHS, has decided to remain at his current position in southern California.
“We are sorry that Matt felt he needed to reverse course on his decision,” said Harry Wardwell, president of the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System board of directors. “However, if this isn’t the right fit, it is better to know that sooner rather than later. Our search brought forward a number of exceptional CEO candidates, so we have some good options before us as we look to the future.”
SVMHS representatives reached agreement with Gerlach on all fundamental issues of an employment contract, however a few remaining details such as contract length and severance considerations eventually led to Gerlach’s reversal.
“This is a time of moving forward for Salinas Valley Memorial—with the right CEO candidate,” Wardwell said. “The challenges of the past are behind us, we have achieved positive cash flow, and our quality is nationally recognized. This is a top-notch organization with dedicated hospital and medical staffs, a league of volunteers and Foundation leaders—all of whom care deeply about this Healthcare System. I am proud to be board president at this time in our history, and I look forward to securing the right person to lead this organization into the future.”
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