SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Utility Board (SUB) general manager Jeff Nelson is retiring at the end of June after serving 30 years with the community-owned water and electric utility.
The board is now faced with the task of recruiting a new general manager. During SUB’s January board meeting, it was confirmed that a new manager will start in July.
Human resources manager Nicole Dalke asked the board for direction to ensure evaluation expectations, timing, and criteria are clearly defined and aligned with the Board’s priorities. She asked if an evaluation of the new general manager should be conducted within the first six months of employment.
The six-month evaluation was described as a “scaled-down one-year review,” Nelson said.
Dalke suggested that the six-month evaluation be developed concurrently with the new general manager’s one-year evaluation to maintain consistency.
Board Chair David Willis said the new general manager should be aware of the evaluation tools and process, and be able to provide feedback to the board prior to their one-year evaluation, deeming the six-month evaluation as more of a “check-in.”
The Board agreed on a six-month evaluation, and that input from the new general manager should be applied in the one-year evaluation, should they get that far in the process.
The Board reached consensus to hold a virtual executive session in February to review the applicant pool and, if necessary, select semifinalists.
They also confirmed that available interview dates would be early to mid-April. A consultant will be used for onboarding support and to facilitate the evaluations. The formal application period is open now through Feb. 8.
“All applications for the CEO/GM position are being gathered through SUB’s consultant’s website,” said Zak Gosa-Lewis, public information officer. “Additionally, to keep the process free from bias and to protect the identities of those who have applied, information about the applicants is not being released until the selection of the finalists.”
If the contract is finalized, the Board will announce the new general manager in May, and the onboarding process will commence in July.
