Now, perhaps I'm the only one here, but I have had some serious concerns raised about the ethical practices of Sue's position as ED given this situation. I understand that in many cases, a private search for a new employee can be conducted. But to do so in a manner that appears to be planned (which I have strong suspicions it was) and slightly underhanded in front of a community that has always (supposedly, last time I checked) been built around honesty and openness is upsetting to say the least. I'm not saying that Erik is bad for the job, he might be the best damn Deputy ED the Foundation will ever see. And if he is, so much the better.
I don't know what you mean by "planned". It's natural to arrange a job some time in advance of it actually starting. It would be surprising that Sue and Erik were already in discussions about it by the time the board were voting to make her ED, in which case Erik was quite correct in recusing himself.