Reply #7: The statements are not mutually exclusive ....

[the_chinuk]

That he's deciding to retire from the "national chairman" position does not mean they have to hire someone to replace him. The national chair position may be, functionally speaking, ceremonial; while Jerry had undoubtedly had a lot of sway with the organization, the real organizational power might be with the MDA Board of Directors.

Also, they may choose to have power devolve to the board and its chairman.