From left, Marquette Board of Light and Power Executive Director Paul Kitti and Assistant Director David Lynch discuss the progress of the Marquette Energy Center, currently 95 percent complete, during Tuesday afternoon's regular board meeting. Lynch is being considered by a special committee to replace Kitti when he retires June 30. (Journal photo by Mary Wardell)

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Board of Light and Power is moving ahead with consideration of Assistant Director David Lynch to replace outgoing Executive Director Paul Kitti.

The board of directors at its regular meeting Tuesday unanimously approved a motion by board member Jerry Irby to enter into discussions with Lynch to establish a scope of work and potential terms of employment.

Board member Dave Puskala said he thinks it’s important to maintain continuity at this stage.

The new Marquette Energy Center is expected to go online at the end of June.

“Dave Lynch provides that continuity, as well as bringing in perspective with his years working with the distribution side of things. That is really our next challenge that we want to make sure that we are doing the right things from capital expenditures and so on to make sure that, not only do we have the generation side now taken care of, but the distribution to customers is also solidified,” Puskala said.

Distribution has been Lynch’s experience, Puskala said, adding though that during this process, the board will need to make sure Lynch’s and the board’s vision for the next several years do align.

Puskala added he thought an outside person from the industry should also be part of the discussion process and crafting of the potential employment contract.

Chairman Tom Tourville appointed Puskala and board member Bob Niemi, with city legal counsel and BLP Director of Personnel Mary Adamini, to serve on the committee and report back to the board with a recommendation for consideration and action. Tourville said he’s considering the addition of another committee member, in line with Puskala’s suggestion.

Tourville submitted the date of May 9 for board consideration, adding however that the committee should take as long as it needs to come to the best recommendation.

The board addressed the alternative option of a national search during discussion.

Niemi said he’s not a fan of national searches.

“Then you hire the person in-house and you put all the applicants through the mill of doing whatever they’re going to do to apply for the position,” Niemi said. “So I guess my thinking is that rather than doing that, entertain discussion, and if those discussions do not come to fruition, then go back to the drawing board.”

Tourville said there’s a romantic appeal to a nationwide search, but the reality is different.

“It’s always easy for someone to stand back and say, you know, ‘You should do a nationwide search, you never know who you’re going to get.’ Well that’s right. You’re never (going to) know,” Tourville said. “We’re in this unique position at this point in time over this next near-term, whether that’s a year or two or three or whatever, to really morph into something that we haven’t been before. We’re going to have all these assets and abilities that we haven’t had.”

Tourville said he thinks in this transition that continuity and experience is most important.

“There’s a lot of moving pieces to this organization, and I’m brand new, I’ve only been here a couple years,” Tourville said. “Holy smokes, … the executive director juggles a lot of stuff.”

Marquette City Manager Mike Angeli spoke during public comment to endorse Lynch after thanking and recognizing Kitti.

“Dave has shown that he can be someone that can work well with the city. He has, I think, a significant understanding, … knowledge of the relationship and knowledge of the issues and problems we might have together,” Angeli said. “So whether my endorsement means anything or not, the decision is up to you, but I think he’ll be a fine choice.”

Mary Wardell can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is mwardell@miningjournal.net.