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Velma Palacios top choice for CUC post
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Posted on May 17 2006
Former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board member Velma Ann Palacios remains the top choice to be the agency’s next executive director, according to press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
Reyes said yesterday that Palacios’ previously announced appointment to the utility had been delayed because of CUC’s emergency situation. But the administration still considers Palacios a worthy candidate for the highest management position in the corporation.
“There was a delay because [the administration] wanted to get past the emergency situation first. Once things stabilize and we can resume to normalcy, then she can be placed in,” Reyes said.
He noted that Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez had confidence in Palacios, as they had worked together at CUC in the past.
“They enjoyed a good working relationship. Also she has the qualifications and credentials. She is an engineer and she has institutional and historical knowledge of CUC’s operations,” Reyes said.
Palacios worked at CUC from 1991 to 1993 as a staff member. She was eventually promoted to the position of deputy executive director, serving under the leadership of then CUC executive director Ramon Guerrero.
She also sat on the CUC board of the directors from 2003 to 2005. She served as vice chair of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s CUC transition team.
Palacios holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. She worked as project administrator for Verizon. She is now plant technical services manager for Pacific Telecom Inc.
Previously, CUC’s executive director was selected by the board of the directors. However, a May 5, 2006 order issued by Fitial grants the governor authority to appoint an executive director for CUC.
