In just over a month when you “stick it to The Man,” you’ll be sticking it to a woman.
Marilyn Middleton, a 32-year old Mobile, Alabama stockbroker, was appointed to be The Man last week following the unexpected retirement of Californian Harold Thompson Rattner, who’d served in the position since November of 2003. She assumes the role effective November 1.
“If you ask me it was long overdue,” says William Huddles, chairman of the selection committee that interviewed over 70 candidates, including six women. “There have been female bank tellers, female mechanical engineers and female optometrists, so why shouldn’t there be a female The Man?”
Besides having things stuck to him – now her – The Man is also responsible for “coming down” on people who slack off on their jobs, implementing unfair taxes, and “hassling” any remaining hippies left over from the 1960s. Middleton will also oversee a staff of nearly 200 in 12 offices across the country.
Those who know her say they don’t anticipate her making any drastic changes to the position, though she has indicated she’ll streamline the 22-page form AP-4bt that must be filled out if one wishes to appeal being come down on.
“I’ve known her to be one of the kindest and friendliest brokers anywhere,” says Ray Sotinek, who has worked with Middleton for over 20 years. “I just hope she’ll continue to be kind and friendly once people really start sticking it to her.”
