Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Long-time utilities staffer snags top job

"After a nation-wide search" Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' deputy director (and currently interim director) snags the top job. Here's the city's press release:

City Manager Names Barry Gullet New Utilities Director

(Charlotte, NC)… After a nation-wide search Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton announced today that Barry Gullet has been selected the new Director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities effective immediately. The search was conducted by The Waters Consulting Group, Inc.

Gullet was named Interim Utilities Director February 18 after former Director Doug Bean announced his retirement. Since joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities in 1978 Gullet has served as Civil Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer and Deputy Director.

“Barry’s knowledge of the system and experience with the City coupled with his creative problem- solving solutions set him apart from other candidates,” says Walton. “While serving as Interim Director he demonstrated great leadership skills and is advancing a nine point plan to improve customer service and operations.”

Gullet is known for being a change agent. As Deputy Director, he has been called upon to successfully lead the utility through difficult reorganizations and performance improvement initiatives. He led a team of employees through a competitive proposal to substantially enhance the way Charlotte’s treatment plants are operated and managed earning the utility national attention. He is also the Chairman of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group.

The 54-year-old Landis native was also the 2009 recipient of the Fuller Award, which is a national recognition awarded annually by the American Water Works Association for distinguished service to the water supply field. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a state-certified Water Treatment Plant Operator. Gullet earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Under Gullet’s leadership, the City will continue its review of customer service delivery, the Utilities Billing Center and the successful completion of the meter reading equipment audit.

Additionally, a rate study is getting under way to analyze and make recommendations related to the water and sewer rate structure. The study will be presented to City Council’s Restructuring Government Committee for review and a recommendation to the full Council later this year.

As CMU Director, Gullet will oversee a 721 employee department with an annual operating budget of more than $104 million and an annual capital budget of nearly $200 million. He will direct city and county-wide utilities planning and management activities for water and sewer operations that include eight treatment plants and more than 8,000 miles of water and sewer pipe. These duties include developing and promoting long-term regional services; maintaining and enhancing existing service levels, designing, constructing and managing the future utility system, in addition to meeting public health, safety and environmental regulations.

A total of 32 candidates from across the country applied for the position. After review and evaluation of qualifications, the Waters Group presented 16 applicants for consideration by the City Manager of which five were interviewed. The interview panel included Ron Kimble, Deputy City Manager; Jeb Blackwell, City Engineer; Bobbie Shields, Mecklenburg County General Manger [er, "manager"/Mary] ; and David Jarrett, CMU Advisory Board Chair. The five applicants were narrowed to two finalists who were interviewed by the City Manager.

To read more about Barry Gullet click bio. The annual salary of the CMU Utilities Director is $152,000.

7 comments:

Ghoul said...

"“Barry’s knowledge of the system and experience with the City coupled with his creative problem- solving solutions set him apart from other candidates,” says Walton."


In other words, he has first hand knowledge of the scam of utility bill payers and if he didn't get the job he might spill the beans. Govco can steal from you, and get caught, but still face no penalty.

Michael said...

And just how much did this faux nation-wide search cost?

Unknown said...

We stole this guy, thank god!

consultant said...

Wishing him much success.

I hope solar panels for home, commercial & govt. bldgs. are in his plans.

Unknown said...

He has so much knowledge and potential in him, I know his success will be great. Wishing him all the best in this career.
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Pathmaker said...

Barry is a dedicated public servant with a successful career at CMU. He takes to heart the best interests of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The community will benefit from his outstanding expertise in running the utility. Congratulations and best wishes, Barry.

consultant said...

I'm hoping the two relief wells hit their mark in August and are able to shut down the well. But I think all we've got at this point is "hope". And hope is riding on the back of slim and none.

6 days after this disaster happened, a UC-Berkeley professor estimated the size of the spill at about 1 Exxon Valdez every 5 days. His rough calculations have proved to be correct (they teach you math at Cal).

There is new evidence that indicates the thousands of feet of well pipe below the sea surface are probably ruptured and will most likely fail before the 2 relief wells can reach the well itself. There is also evidence the 450 ton Blow Out Preventor (BOP) is tilting and might fall on its side.

The collapsing well pipe (well bore) and a falling BOP would complete the scenario for a catastrophe of biblical proportions.

What does it mean? That even if one of the relief wells is dead on target in August, they wouldn't be able to "kill" the well. The relief wells only work within a stable well pipe structure that can contain the pressure. The data we currently have doesn't suggest that.

All of what BP is doing now is one gigantic science/engineering experiment. You make the call.

We live in some insane times. The govt., news media, no one outside of BP knows exactly how much oil is in this field. Reports estimate the field at @2.5 billion barrels of oil.

There are some veteran oil people who think this field will just bleed out.

I'm trying to figure out, what will it take for America to change its behavior? Or are we just going to ride this sucker out?