It was surprised that they elected to install guys in an official, i.e. permanent, position. Given the high turnover due to indictments, it just makes more sense to do things with acting bosses or ruling panels so there is less clear lines of reporting the feds can identify.

I don't know if that, in an of itself, signifies a more stable family. But the Gambinos have stabilized to a degree since the 1990's. They continue to be the 2nd strongest family in the U.S. A lot of people wrote them off after the chaos from the Gotti days. But they are too big of a family to just disappear over night. Or even over several years.