A former U.S. Marine who started the Wounded Warrior Project years ago tells The Associated Press he's open to returning and restoring the group's reputation now that two executives who replaced him have been fired.
John Melia launched the project on a shoestring budget in 2003 after reflecting on his experience being injured in a helicopter crash off Somalia. Years later, he was replaced as CEO by Steve Nardizzi, a lawyer who brought an aggressive entrepreneurial style to the charity and turned it into an $800 million fundraising enterprise.
Now that Nardizzi and chief operating officer Al Giordano have been fired in response to reports of lavish spending, Melia says he's open to leading the nonprofit again.
Melia told the AP that he's asked for an "immediate" meeting with the nonprofit's board of directors to offer his help.
He says donors who supported the group since its humble beginning "have every right to be angry about the lack of stewardship shown by the immediate past leadership of WWP," and "the new leadership of the WWP must do everything in its power to restore its relationship and regain the trust of those it serves and its donors."
Melia says the actions of the two fired executives should not reflect poorly on charity employees who still doing good work.