Well, that could not be the case since if it were, it would be material news, and would've had to have been released, immediately.

That's not to say they haven't chosen someone and are waiting for him/her to sign on the dotted line, and in the mean time are collecting others who would fit in nicely with said CEO-designate.

Edit: having just re-read what you stated I believe that is what you may have been getting at. I'm sure the company knows the legality of all this and could have a CEO waiting in the wings, but unsigned, therefore enabling them to chose other executives to compliment him/her.