IBM Executive Is Interim Chief of United Way

Kenneth W. Dam, an IBM vice president and former deputy secretary of state, is United Way of America’s new interim president, the organization announced Thursday.

Dam, 59, will address local United Way officials today in a closed-circuit teleconference beamed to more than 90 sites nationwide. In a similar broadcast eight days ago, United Way of America officials announced that William Aramony was retiring.

Aramony, 64, has been widely praised for his work in building the United Way network during 22 years as head of the national organization. But published reports about his spending and management practices caused an outcry among some local United Way executives, who feared that the publicity would dampen giving throughout the charitable fund-raising network.

More than 30 local United Way chapters have said they will withhold dues to the national organization pending the outcome of a full investigation.

Dam will not receive any compensation from United Way of America and will continue to draw his IBM salary while the organization searches for a permanent successor.