[thrill]

You do not owe the "company" pain without gain. I just left a similar position with a CEO who exhibited similar attitudes about people management. I was the 4th hire into that position in as many years - I believed it was a technical and process issue they suffered under and took the position in spite of this knowledge. It's generally not - it's a management and attitude issue, and if the board cannot take the time to determine that, with supposedly far more access to the "big picture" than anyone else, then you should feel no guilt for removing yourself from the situation.