Out of what they called a pool of experienced and talented candidates, commissioners with the Clallam County Public Utility District made their choice to fill out the three-member board.
Commissioners Ted Simpson and Will Purser agreed Monday to offer the role of PUD commissioner to David Anderson, a seat created by the July 15 resignation of 24-year incumbent Hugh Haffner.
PUD staff confirmed later on Monday that Anderson was contacted and agreed to assume the role of commissioner.
Anderson, a Port Angeles resident, worked as a project manager at Seattle City Light from 1998-2013.
“I’m leaning toward David Anderson; he’s lived in the area a long time … and presented himself well,” Purser said following an executive session Monday morning.
“I don’t disagree,” Simpson said. “He responded well to the questions. But all of them did.”
In his letter of interest to PUD commissioners, Anderson said he has been a part-time resident of Clallam County for 12 years and full-time resident for the past three years.
“I am interested in being a commissioner to assure that management of the PUD continues to provide reliable and affordable power, water and wastewater disposal, and to enhance my leadership skills,” Anderson wrote in his letter of interest. “The opportunity will allow me to expand my engagement in community service.”
Anderson was an Assistant Professor of Construction Management at the University of Washington from 1993-1996 and held several construction management roles in Seattle and Houston prior to that.
“He’s got some education in the construction world,” Simpson said.
Both of the commissioners praised the field of candidates.
“I had a vision going into this process (that) it would be real obvious,” Simpson said. “We had 14 good candidates. Narrowing that field to five and now to one has been very difficult.”
Purser said Monday that “The commissioners have to be able to serve the community by keeping the rates low and provide reliable service. In-depth experience (about public utility processes) isn’t necessary, but it sure does help.”
The PUD will offer the position to Anderson and, assuming he accepts, he can begin serving in his role following a swearing-in procedure.
Other candidates on the PUD commission’s “short list” included Patricia Morris (Patti) and Harold “Butch” Thayer of Port Angeles; and William M. Hannan and Ricky “Rick” Paschall of Sequim.
Simpson thanked Morris — owner of Patti Morris Consulting and former marketing services manager Tuscon Electric Power Co., who was at Monday’s meeting — for her interest in the position.
“I’ll be back in two years,” Morris said.
Haffner, who represented Port Angeles-Sequim-area District 2, resigned due to health reasons while under investigation for a sexual harassment complaint. The investigation was dropped after he announced his departure.
Purser, a commissioner since 2001, said in a previous interview that he hopes the person who replaces Haffner will run for a full six-year term in 2018, when the term expires.
Commissioners hire the general manager, treasurer and auditor. They approved an annual budget that for 2018 is $67 million for electric operations, $7 million for water operations and $58,500 for sewer operations. It includes $20 million in reserves and three-year rate increases that began this year.
PUD commissioners are paid a $2,567 monthly salary, or $30,804 annually.
They also receive $128 daily per diem for meetings and other PUD-related business for a maximum annual salary and per diem amount of $48,724, and 75 cents a mile for official business.
Paul Gottlieb, Peninsula Daily News senior staff writer, contributed to this report.
