CUC still in process of finding new CFO and deputy executive director

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is still in the process of looking for a chief financial officer and a deputy director to fill two of the three highest positions within the agency.

CUC executive director Alan Fletcher said that they have had nationwide searches for qualified applicants for their chief financial officer and have had several possible candidates for the deputy executive director.

“We have had possible candidates but we are close to identifying [the most likely ones],” Fletcher told Saipan Tribune.

CUC’s chief financial officer Charles Warren resigned on July 18, 2014.

Since then, a certified public accountant has been appointed acting CFO, Fletcher said. She is Joanne Paraiso, who is CUC’s chief accountant. She will be handling the CFO position during the recruitment period.

“Paraiso has 10 years of management level of utility experience and she has also been working directly with our Stipulated Order issues, and has been responsible for managing approximately $70 million in grant monies that CUC receives,” Fletcher said.

He said that Paraiso also does the technical reporting and compliance required by grantors for four years.

Fletcher conceded that CUC has been unable to recruit a suitable candidate for deputy executive director and has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection for more time to hire one.

According to Fletcher, CUC conducted a nationwide search in the summer of 2013 for qualified applicants to fill the position.

He said they did a thorough review of 48 applicants and held six interviews and CUC submitted four final candidates to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency for review and approval.

“Of the four candidates submitted, EPA did not comment on one applicant, rejected two additional contenders, and approved one candidate meeting the required qualifications,” Fletcher said.

That candidate later withdrew the application from being considered.

“CUC has diligently attempted to hire for this position, but it has been unsuccessful. As a result the position has been advertised as part of a new nationwide search and formally requested an additional 150 days to recruit,” Fletcher said.

He said the request was made on March 25 and they still hasn’t gotten a response from EPA.