Chamber fires Carlson

By: Mr. Wilson on March 7, 2006
The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has fired president J. Matt Carlson after only six months on the job. The Chamber cited a "management style ... not consistent with the goals and objectives of the organization." There's no way to know whether that translates to "the guy was a jerk", "the guy was lazy", "the guy was a pushover", or something else. But whatever it means, it's never good to be canned after a scant six months on the job. Nor is Carlson's firing good news for Lincoln. Although the Chamber will insist that this little bit of instability within the organization won't hinder Lincoln's broader economic development efforts, any bump in the road has the potential to cause problems for a community like Lincoln. Here's hoping the Chamber is able to get back on track quickly.

Comments

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Steve Whitney
March 10, 2006 at 5:24PM

It is no wonder that they fired this guy.  He has a trail of carnage as he has worked his way through other Chambers.  He was “asked to find employment elsewhere” in both Atlanta Chambers he worked.  He left them both with considerable debt and even married the employee he was cheating on his wife with. He even went so far as to adopt a baby from China and then divorce his wife, marry his employee mistress and denounce the little adopted girl. Lincoln can do much better than this - I promise.  Go West young Matt, go West.

Sam Jerginson
March 10, 2006 at 9:14PM

I am suprised they waited this long.  The Chamber had 18 great staff members when he starter.  I could always get great member service.  When he left there were 11.  Makes me sick to think that Lincoln lost the talents of 7 great individuals because this guy came to town.  I hear on the news he wants to stay and is using his “statements” to get a job.  If you ask me, it’s time for J Matt Carlson to take his talents elsewhere.

Angela
March 10, 2006 at 10:22PM

What goes around comes around.

anounymous
March 10, 2006 at 11:07PM

Glad to see him go.  I’ll bet if the Board starts looking at Matt’s expense reports, they may be able to hold some money out of his last paycheck.

Anonymous
March 13, 2006 at 3:35PM

If anyone is to blame for the mess the Lincoln Chamber has gotten itself into, it’s the Lincoln Chamber.  Had they conduced a thorough background check in the first place, J. Matt Carlson would NEVER have been hired.

Kary Marshall
March 30, 2006 at 5:10PM

For those interested in a little more information; Mr. Carlson worked from the end of July of 05 - September of 05 (about 7 weeks) for an organization called the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation (in Atlanta, Georiga).  He apparently left there (after being hired by the Lincoln Chamber)and told them he was moving his family out of state to manage his father’s company and family trusts, as he had just had a stroke and was facing a long recovery time.  Nobody knows if his father actually did have a stroke, but he clearly bypassed his ailing father’s house and went directly to Lincoln to work as the new Chamber President.  He also took two out of town trips during his 7 weeks at this foundation; one being a “land deal” he was handling for his (aunt and uncle?)family in Kansas, the other to visit his father in the hospital.  There is speculation that these might actually coincide with his interviews in Lincoln.  He apparently gave no true notice to this organization, he announced at their Board Meeting that he was done for family reasons.  Apparently honesty may not be one of his strong suits. At least one employee who worked with him at the Foundation has been quoted as saying “It was clear to the staff that he was not being truthful from the start, and that he was not going to be a fit for the organization.  Unfortunately, the Board of Directors for the Foundation is not the most responsible group of individuals either, and early reported concerns from the staff to them was overlooked, and discouraged by possible threat of their jobs (by both the Board and Mr. Carlson.” 

Apparently, that foundation hired him without responsibly condcting a complete background check as well, and his past indiscretions were right in their own back yard.

Stay tuned Lincoln, our saga continues…...

Anonymous
March 31, 2006 at 2:46PM

FYI - His father did NOT have a stroke.  What a sick liar.

anonymous
March 31, 2006 at 5:06PM

Stay tuned for the next segment of “As the Lincoln Log Rolls.” Will Mr. Carlson declare “It’s not me!” Will another organization pop up and tell us that Mr. Carlson left because his 3rd cousins wifes dad’s brother had a heart attack in Cantcatchme, Tennessee? Stay tuned!

Bruce
May 25, 2006 at 12:35AM

There is a lot more to the story.

Mr. Wilson
May 25, 2006 at 1:25AM

There always is, Bruce. Care to shed some light on things?

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