Clallam Public Utility District commissioners interviewed three finalists for a vacant board seat and plan another executive session next week before they select a candidate.

Commissioners Ken Hays and Jim Waddell will meet April 24 with the goal of filling the position vacated by Rick Paschall, who resigned from the three-member board in March.

“They (the board) just wanted the time to absorb what they heard and think about it up to the next meeting,” PUD Communications Manager Nicole Hartman said about the selection process Monday.

“Normally candidates would have to campaign for a seat, so they are taking the appointment very seriously to make the best decision,” Hartman said.

Nathan Adkisson, John Purvis and Marc Sullivan were selected from a field of six candidates to be interviewed together during a special meeting of the Clallam PUD on Monday. Each candidate was given a chance to answer several questions specific to the duties of being a member of the board.

The candidates also participated in a mock board decision to demonstrate their knowledge and their ability to perform those duties.

Adkisson, 44, a longtime Clallam County resident, earned a degree in communications from Western Washington University in 2002 and has spent 20 years in the financial industry. Eleven years have been in Clallam County, where he worked as a loan officer for various financial institutions.

Purvis, 60, is a 16-year Clallam County resident and currently works as the assistant general manager for Clallam PUD. He said he has more than 40 years of experience in power utility systems.

Purvis has the support of a number of community leaders such as Colleen McAleer, executive director of the Clallam County Economic Development Council; Karen Affeld, executive director of the North Olympic Development Council; and Port Angeles City Council member Charlie McCaughan.

Purvis earned two degrees from Christian Brothers University: one in civil engineering and one in electrical engineering, and, in his own words, is a “firm believer in the value of public power.”

Sullivan, 71, has lived in Clallam County for almost a decade and previously worked for Seattle City Light.

He claims to have been raised in “the church of public power” when describing his experience with public utility systems.

Back in February, Hays noted that the PUD is looking for a candidate who would not only finish Paschall’s term but would run for the position again.

“It would be great if we could find someone that intends to run at the end of term,” Hays said.

PUD Commissioners serve six-year terms; Paschall had two years left at the time of his resignation.

The PUD has until May 20 to fill the seat.