If the planned Victory Junction Midwest becomes a reality, it likely will be without the help of Pattie Petty, the driving force who created the original NASCAR-themed camp in North Carolina for children with chronic diseases. The Victory Junction board of directors has informed Petty, wife of former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and daughter-in-law of Hall of Famer Richard Petty, that she will no longer be part of the day-to-day operations of the camp. The board has offered her emeritus status, but she is balking at serving in a purely ceremonial role. ‘They don ‘t want anything to do with me,’ said Pattie Petty, who has been living in Kansas City part time while raising funds for the camp in Wyandotte County. ‘They gave me not one reason. They said they wanted to make a change. & I ‘m not sure what I did wrong, but the word came back to me I was making irrational decisions. Two board members who wanted me to leave gave me an ultimatum & never go to the camp, not talk to anybody with the camp. & It was probably the most hurtful thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.’ John McKee, president of Victory Junction and who was hired by Pattie Petty, said he has been instructed by the board not to have any comment ‘because there is an ongoing employment negotiation.’(see full story and more quotes at the Kansas City Star)(4-22-2012)
UPDATE: Statement by Victory Junction’s Chief Operating Officer, Austin Petty in Response to Founder, Pattie Petty Transitioning to Emeritus Status:
‘Victory Junction has extremely high ethical standards and only decisions that benefit the sustainability and longevity of camp are made by our well-respected Board Of Directors. I can confirm my mom accepted a goodwill ambassador position as Chairwoman Emeritus from our Board, but that is all I can confirm at this point, given that this involves ongoing negotiations between an employee and employer. While public figures are involved, this situation is no different from a regulatory perspective and personnel matters are private and confidential per the law and human resource policies. Because of this, we will not have any further comment on this or any other personnel issues at this time. Seriously ill children are the motivation of Victory Junction and we are as committed as ever to enriching the lives of chronically ill kids at our existing facility in Randleman, NC, as well as pushing forward the successes of a second camp serving the Midwest.’
AND Kyle Petty doesn ‘t believe the removal of his wife, Pattie, as chief executive officer of Victory Junction Gang Camp will negatively impact the camp the couple founded in memory of their son Adam. ‘It doesn ‘t impact anything, it really doesn ‘t,’ Kyle Petty, a former NASCAR star, said Monday. ‘Basically, the board had decided to ask Pattie to take an emeritus role and just be a spokesperson. & I have no concerns with the direction of the camp at all. Period. We ‘re always going to be involved in the camp,’ said Kyle, the son of seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty and a driver from 1979 to 2008. ‘The camp was founded in memory of Adam, and we have worked incredibly hard to build the camp. But the camp is about the kids that come, and it’s all about what’s best for the kids.’ Kyle Petty, who is vice chairman of the board, said Pattie, who was chairman and CEO, was primarily running the fund-raising efforts for the Kansas City camp. He said Austin and Victory Junction president John McKee handled the day-to-day operations of the North Carolina camp. The North Carolina and Kansas City camps have separate board of directors that meet quarterly to make decisions on how the camps operate. Kyle continues to serve on the board of directors for the camp and conducts a charity motorcycle ride across the United States to raise funds. Kyle said he and Richard Petty, who also is on the board, did not participate in discussions about the role for Pattie, who is battling Parkinson’s Disease. Pattie Petty, 60, wasn ‘t immediately available for comment. ‘It’s a bigger story because she’s Pattie and the work she put in the camp and founding the camp and stuff,’ Kyle Petty said.(in part from the Sporting News)(4-24-2012)
