Blackwater founder steps down as CEO

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AP

Blackwater founder steps down as CEO
1 hr 33 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Blackwater founder Erik Prince is stepping down as the company's chief executive officer.

Prince said in a statement Monday that he has appointed a new president and a new CEO and that the moves were part of the beleaguered company's "continued reorganization and self-improvement."

Prince founded Blackwater in 1997 and last month the company changed its name to Xe.

The company has had a contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, but last month the State Department said it would not rehire Blackwater after its current contract with the company expires in May. The company has one other major security contract, details of which are classified.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_bi_ge/blackwater

[mod mom]

1. Any hope that there is indictments lurking in his future?

[glitch]

2. I certainly do.

Hope springs eternal for that one.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

13. I didn't know he had been accused of any wrong doing.

[Frustratedlady]

3. I wonder what the other "major" security contract is...

Protecting Darth and The Kid? When all the "stuff" they pulled while in office comes to the surface, they may need professional protection.

Scary company...and I don't care what name they call it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. Maybe here....

Black Water Operational in Pakistan –

http://truth4justice.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/american-secret-army-blackwater-operational-in-pakistan/

Link is dated Jan. 22 09

[Donnachaidh]

4. And what little regime-toppling mess are you going to serve up next, mr. prince?

I'd rather keep this animal in public view.

[yy4me]

5. Probably pack up his Brazilians of dollars and head someplace

where there is no extradition policy...let me think....Paraguay?

Lots of room on the farm down there for all good bushies, since we can't yet seem to nail these guys for anything. I know it takes time but as we slide downhill rapidly, there is no toehold for most of us.

These guys have so much money that they can do anything, go anywhere. Just need a little time to do some transferring of assets before someone might knock on the door.

[Pastiche423]

21. Nope, not Paraguay

Leftist former bishop Fernando Lugo became Paraguay's president in August 2008. They now have a extradition treaty.

[zeemike]

6. Sounds like the shit is about to come down

And he wants to be as far away from it as possible.
I wonder if he has a Mc Mansion in Dubai.

[sarcasmo]

11. Probably building on Dubya's acreage in Honduras.

[get the red out]

7. Forgive and FORGET?

Is this another step along the way of hoping we forget who and what Blackwater ever was? The "Xe" is positioned to be the mercenaries of choice if the Republicans can hook and crook their way back into power?

[L0oniX]

8. That asshole Erik Prince lives in my home town of Holland Michigan...

I'll never go back to that fucking city of fake ass christian hypocrites and Erik Prince is just one of thousands there. I am so happy I left that place.

[sarcasmo]

10. I live in Jenison and can't wait until my wife gets her Disability Pension approved.

We will be out of her quicker than quick.

[sarcasmo]

9. They can change their name to XXX, they will always be Blackwater to me.

Fearmongers with their own private army.

[annabanana]

12. "steps down as CEO". . big whoop

Unless he sold his interest in the firm, it means nothing.

[laststeamtrain]

14. Jeremy Scahill: Mercenary King Erik Prince Resigns as Blackwater CEO

Mercenary King Erik Prince Resigns as Blackwater CEO
By Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet
Posted on March 2, 2009, Printed on March 2, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/www.alternet.org/129606/

The company formerly known as Blackwater continues its mission to bury its tarnished reputation and soldier on. Early this morning, Blackwater founder Erik Prince released a brief statement announcing he is stepping down as CEO of the infamous mercenary firm he started in 1997. A press release from the company -- which last month renamed itself "Xe" -- said Prince "will now focus his efforts on a private equity venture unrelated to the company."

In a personal message sent to his employees and clients, Prince sought to cast his departure as a natural part of the firm’s ongoing evolution. "As many of you know, because we focus on continually improving our business that Xe is in the process of a comprehensive restructuring,” he wrote. “It is with pride in our many accomplishments and confidence in Xe's future that I announce my resignation as the company's Chief Executive Officer."

Prince's resignation could be seen as a public formality in what has been a dramatic attempt to scrub all public vestiges of Blackwater, given that he remains chairman and sole owner of the network of companies now operating under the Xe umbrella. But it's clear the firm has been thrown into turmoil in recent months. As the Xe statement says, "These appointments follow the addition and departures of several other key personnel. Recent departures from the company include its former Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer, President, and Executive Vice President." Joseph Yorio, an ex-Army Special Forces officer and former Vice President of the international shipping company DHL was announced as the new Xe president -- a somewhat humorous development, given Prince's fondness for describing Blackwater as the "FedEx of the U.S. national security apparatus." Meanwhile, Danielle Esposito, a longtime Blackwater employee, was named Xe's new Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President.

The rebranding of Blackwater and its attempts to hide its former self have been downright crude. The company's domestic training centers, which some refer to as private military bases, are now simply labeled "U.S. Training Center." Gone is the sexy black-and-red logo featuring a bear paw in a sniper-scope; it has been replaced by a nondescript, rather amateurish sketch of an American Eagle. The company website has been revamped and scaled down.

One thing that does remain is the Blackwater ProShop, where you can still purchase items ranging from all the ammunition and tactical gear you would need for your own private war, to the ever-popular Blackwater teddy bear. There is currently a blow-out sale in Blackwater baby onesies, which have been reduced from $18 to $10. Toddler polos have also had their ticket price slashed.

Blackwater's new name and Prince's resignation come following the State Department's recent announcement that it would not be renewing Blackwater's security contract in Iraq. Some have speculated that many of its operatives may be rehired by the State Department through other companies or the Department itself. Moreover, Blackwater still holds lucrative government contracts in Afghanistan and elsewhere and is marketing "CIA-type services" to Fortune 1000 companies through Prince's Total Intelligence Solutions. And a 184-foot vessel operated by the company (named the MacArthur) is reportedly heading for the Gulf of Aden to fight pirates. Nevertheless, some see the recent developments as Blackwater's funeral.

<more>

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/129606/mercenary_king_erik_prince_resigns_as_blackwater_ceo/

[damntexdem]

15. He could Xe the writing on the wall?

A Prince, not even a king, yet deposed. ;-)

[progressoid]

16. Same shit - different asshole.

[NeoConsSuck]

17. Blackwater founder, CEO resigns

Source: CNN.COM

Erik Prince, founder of the Blackwater Worldwide security firm, announced Monday he has resigned as head of the company, recently renamed Xe.

Prince, in an e-mail to employees and independent contractors, said Danielle Esposito will become chief operating officer and executive vice president. Esposito has worked for the firm and its partners for nearly 10 years.

Blackwater/Xe's president, Gary Jackson, is also retiring, Prince said.

The position of CEO will remain open, the company said.

Prince did not elaborate on what he planned to do next, saying only that "I will be taking on new challenges that I have not yet had the chance to tackle."



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/02/blackwater.prince/index.html

---

New challenge: Set a new record of how many flys you can catch, pull off their wings, and burn them under a magnifying glass.

Here is a challenge I would like to see you take on: Walk alone down the streets of Fallujah.

[Xipe Totec]

18. Not good enough.

I want him detained...

Interrogated...

Waterboarded...

[Bake]

24. Put a hood on him, stand him up, and attach electrodes to his nuts.

See how he likes THAT!

Bake

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. This is interesting.....

"Moreover, Blackwater still holds lucrative government contracts in Afghanistan and elsewhere and is marketing "CIA-type services" to Fortune 1000 companies through Prince's Total Intelligence Solutions."

Total Intelligence Solutions
Total Information Awareness

ring a bell?

These guys never ever go away...they just change change rocks.

[Thor_MN]

22. Camoflage, AKA rebranding, just like renaming the company.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

23. Since Bush/Cheney are not in charge anymore, they aren't needed.