Pierce County AIDS Foundation CEO placed on leave in latest upheaval at nonprofit agency
The Pierce County AIDS Foundation Board of Directors has placed its CEO Ace Robinson on paid administrative leave “as the Board conducts an inquiry into personnel matters,” according to a board message obtained by the News Tribune.
The decision Friday comes after The News Tribune reported PCAF was having issues receiving funding for a variety of services it offers to people living with HIV/AIDs in the South Sound region. In August, four employees told The News Tribune they believe they were fired as retaliation for expressing concerns about financial mismanagement and a toxic workplace environment to nonprofit leadership and PCAF’s board.
In response to a News Tribune inquiry at that time, president of the PCAF Board of Directors Will Wayburn said he was aware formal complaints had been made by employees, but the board was “completely supportive” of Robinson and his strategic plan.
The News Tribune was not immediately able to reach Robinson for comment Monday. He started working as PCAF’s CEO in July 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“The Board did not come to this decision lightly. The Board has not yet made any determinations and will not do so until the conclusion of the Board’s inquiry,” the board said in its recent announcement. “Please note that Mr. Robinson’s placement on paid administrative leave is not a form of discipline. Because this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide any further details or comment at this time.”
According to the announcement, staff were told to alert human resources immediately if Robinson “asks or directs you to perform any action while is on leave.”
Mission and Arts supervisor Jill Frey has accepted the position of interim executive director for the month of October, per the announcement. Frey confirmed Monday that Robinson was placed on administrative leave.
“The Board’s top priority is to ensure that PCAF can continue serving its clients, now and in the years to come. To that end, the Board will work through this matter as expeditiously as possible,” the announcement said. “We appreciate the commitment and dedication of the entire PCAF team to our mission, our clients, and our community.”
PCAF offers a variety of case management, mental health, substance-abuse and outreach services, as well as a food bank, housing assistance, medical transportation and emergency financial assistance services to people living with HIV and AIDS. It serves about 3,000 clients in Tacoma and Olympia.
