“That’s actually not true.” Petra stood, looking like a totalbadass. She didn’t flinch or acknowledge Dennis’s petty behavior. She clicked on the PowerPoint.
“In the company bylaws, section eight, about the creation of new positions, it states that the board has the power to vote on executive positions. I want to reiterate that the CEO might present the idea, but the board has final voting power on the role. Our bylaws also say that meeting agendas are set twenty-four hours before and are not to change. Connor, would you like to start?”
Dennis’s face turned red as he glared at her and then me. Ryan noticed the exchange but just frowned. This was go time. I went into detail, explaining the job duties, description, and how making Petra COO would increase our company’s productivity, revenue, and culture. I spoke on the role it would play between departments and external relationships.
I spoke for thirty minutes before they pounded me with questions. Financial ones, long-term ones. My phone buzzed, but I ignored it.
“You think your assistant has the qualifications to do this job?” Dennis scoffed. “There’s no way. She’s a glorified secretary.”
“We’re going to have to disagree on that, and I demand you show her respect.” I lowered my tone. “Over the last seven years, she has dealt with every facet of this company, and that’s what a COO does. Deals with everyone and every detail. She is the only person for this role, and I welcome any questions that are not an insult to her.”
“She can’t handle the responsibility.” Dennis stood and gripped the back of his chair. “Team, Connor is losing it. Iknow we’re not voting yet, but he left his post the last few weeks because of his wife—”
“Is Laney okay?” George asked before glaring at Dennis. “We knew he was remote, and it’s not like work didn’t get done, Dennis.”
“A CEO should be here. At the office. I mean, fuck, there was a cyberattack! That could’ve killed the company, and instead of being here, he was worried about his wife.”
“First off, Laney is fine. Thank you, George. My priorities were shifted for a moment, but I trust Jen, our CTO. She handled the tech aspects, where our legal team handled the rest. That is their roles and they handled them perfectly. We could get into how we had one, but I’d like to focus on the subject at hand, back to Petra being named as chief operating—”
“She’s not going to have that position!”
“Oh, because you want it to go to your nephew, right?”
The air in the room dropped five degrees. I hadn’t wanted to bring up Dennis’s nephew because it felt too dirty. I didn’t like stooping to his level, but it was time.
“Do you want me to update the board on our conversation, or would you?”
“What is he talking about, Dennis?”
“He’s full of shit! Look at him. He’s panicking because he knows he’s being irrational with this ask.”
I, in fact, was not panicking. I was in control. My phone vibrated again, but I hit the side button. This was the moment that had been years in the making.
“When I spoke with you all about the idea of having Petra as a chief operating officer, Dennis opposed it aggressively and told me the only way I’d get hisvote—and all of yours—was if I hired his nephew, who not only isn’t qualified but also hiring him would go against the bylaws prohibiting family members of the board from working here.”
“That isn’t true!” Dennis shook the chair, his eyes bugging out of his head. “You’re lying. You’re making this shit up.”
“He’s not.” Petra stood and clicked to the next slide. “We have evidence.”
“You recorded me?” he roared.
“Yes.” I stood on the other side of the podium and met Petra’s eyes for a beat. “I can play the video, which would be embarrassing for you, Dennis, but enough is enough. Petra is qualified. The job should be hers. Let’s vote on it.”
Margaret motioned first. “I move to approve the new position with the role being filled by Petra Swarski.”
“I second.” Bruce nodded at us before frowning at Dennis. “All in favor?”
“Aye,” Ryan said.
Margaret nodded, saying, “Aye.”
“Aye,” George agreed, securing the vote of the majority. I couldn’t hide my smile as Petra beamed.
“Aye,” Bruce added, making four of five to confirm her.
“No.” Dennis swallowed. “I vote no.”
“Your vote is noted for the record, but the motion has passed. Petra will be named the new chief operating officer in four months’ time, giving Connor enough time to prepare her replacement,” Margaret said.
