The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority board has named Chief Operations Officer Jim Flechtner as interim CEO while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement for Matt Jordan, who resigned last month to take a job in Florida.
The board appointed Flechtner, who served in place of Jordan during Wednesday’s regular meeting, after meeting in closed session on the personnel matter. Flechtner will be paid in accordance with a salary of $137,500, with payment retroactive to July 1.
Board Chairman Jim Quinn congratulated Flechtner, who he noted has said he plans to apply for the permanent position. Flechtner thanked the board for its confidence, adding that the job reflects staff as a whole.
“While this is one position, it truly is a team effort for the organization,” Flechtner said.
Earlier in the meeting, the board discussed plans to use an outside firm to assist in the search for a permanent replacement. The board’s human resources committee, which will serve as a search committee, will consider proposals from firms before proceeding with the process. The search is expected to take about four months to complete.
Jordan, who served five years as the CFPUA’s first CEO, accepted a job in Tampa Bay, Fla., as general manager of Tampa Bay Water. His first day on the job was Monday, July 8.
In a press release issued after Flechtner’s appointment, Quinn praised Jordan’s efforts over the years and expressed confidence in Flechtner at the helm.
“Matt did an excellent job helping to establish CFPUA within our community during a time of heightened need and we wish him a great deal of success,” Quinn is quoted as saying. “We started out from scratch and he brought to the table the expertise on how to run a water and sewer authority.”
Flechtner, he said, “is extremely qualified to lead CFPUA through this time of transition. As a board, we are very satisfied with the authority’s direction and how it delivers on its mission to serve its customers. Jim has served in an integral role and is a natural choice to take on this responsibility.”
Flechtner has worked with the authority since its inception in 2008, according to the release. Previously an employee with the City of Wilmington, Flechtner was named deputy CEO and Chief Operations Officer of CFPUA in late 2011 and has been involved with the authority’s strategic planning and long-term capital improvement budgeting, the release states.
Flechtner holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is a licensed professional engineer and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the board authorized amendments to a developer agreement with NNP-IV Cape Fear River LLC for work related to the RiverLights development planned along River Road south of Independence Boulevard. A memo states the amended agreement, which accredits nearly $950,000 from the developer to the CFPUA, reflects changes made to the development’s plans since the initial agreement was approved in 2009.
The developer is reimbursing the authority for improvements to the Barnard’s Creek and Mott’s Creek pump stations–estimated to cost about $8 million–that are needed to accommodate the large-scale development.
Jonathan Spiers is a reporter for Port City Daily. He can be reached at (910) 772-6313 or jonathan.s@portcitydaily.com. On Twitter: @jrspiers
