The Miss America Organization has been rocked by the resignation of its CEO and executive chairman, Sam Haskell, following the revelation of inappropriate email exchanges. The Huffington Post report that brought the emails to light contained sexist remarks about past winners and contestants.
Alongside Haskell, Josh Randle, the COO and president, and Lynn Weidner, the board chair, have also stepped down. Weidner will remain on the board for up to 90 days to ensure a smooth transition, according to a statement posted on Twitter. Dan Meyers has been appointed interim chairman.
The board's statement thanked Haskell and Weidner for their years of service and financial support, which helped provide millions of dollars in scholarships to young women. Haskell was suspended on Friday after the emails were made public, and the board had pledged to investigate allegations of his critical behaviour and efforts to suppress dissent.
In a statement, Haskell apologised for his poor judgment in the emails but denied some aspects of the Huffington Post report. Pressure for his resignation mounted after 49 former Miss Americas issued a joint statement calling for his departure, supported by the mayor of Atlantic City and former CEO Leonard Horn.
