Smart leaders understand an open position is preferable to filling a position with the wrong candidate.

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Mr. Witherell joined Freddie nearly 18 months ago, filling a position that had been vacant for two years.

WSJ: Freddie Mac's Chief Operating Officer Resigns

In 1998 he took over the whole operation, filling a position far removed from the subtleties he knows best.

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"In filling this critical position, we looked for someone with experience both within and beyond the pharmaceutical industry who could bring new approaches and ideas to the company, along with a proven ability to drive change and growth, " Clark said in a statement at the time.

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Commissioner Selig has made overtures to Torre about filling the Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations position that was recently vacated by Sandy Alderson.

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When the participants were assigned to the prime minister and civil servant groups, I wonder to what extent they simply filled the roles versus filling them with an assumption of what someone in the position would do.

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Terry Baker, who was filling the job temporarily, takes over the vice-chairman position.

BBC: Rolls becomes Cambridge chairman

The left-back position has been problematic for Hughes in the past, with skipper Gary Speed often filling in there rather than taking his regular midfield place.

BBC: Margetson earns Wales call

Bush announced he was creating the new position five months ago, and many Democrats have been harshly critical recently at the delay in filling the post.

CNN: Manufacturing czar nominee withdraws