Twelve people applied for second round of GRU Authority appointments

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Our April 18 public records request to the Governor’s Office was fulfilled today, and we now know that 12 people applied for the second round of appointments to the GRU Authority.

The GRU Authority was created via HB 1645 to govern Gainesville Regional Utilities, which was previously governed by the Gainesville City Commission. The first application period opened on June 30, 2023, and Governor Ron DeSantis appointed the first three members on September 26: James Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson. The board met for the first time on October 4, 2023, and just before the meeting, Governor DeSantis announced the final two appointments: Craig Carter and Dr. Tara Ezzell. Ezzell did not attend the first meeting and withdrew her application the next day, saying she was not qualified for the board because she did not have GRU electric service; that left a vacancy that persisted until May 2024.

Before the first board was even seated, Gainesville Residents United filed a lawsuit to invalidate the appointments. The GRU Authority meeting scheduled for March 6, 2024, was canceled, and the Governor’s Office announced on March 13 that nominations were being solicited for the Authority. In the days preceding the announcement, the four members of the Authority had submitted their resignations as part of a joint motion to stay proceedings in the Gainesville Residents United lawsuit.

The five appointments for the new board were made on May 16: Edward Bielarski, Craig Carter, David Haslam, Eric Lawson, and Chip Skinner. The first meeting was held on May 23, and Bielarski was selected as Chair of the board. On June 12, Bielarski resigned as part of a series of motions that led to his selection as the CEO of GRU, and Lawson became Chair. The nominations window for that vacancy closed on July 25.

These were the applicants for the second round:

William Anderson lives in Haile Plantation, outside the city limits of Gainesville, and earned a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1970, a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1971, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1979. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1978. He has worked for Bell Telephones Laboratories, Telcordia Technologies, and SubComm.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “Long career in electrical engineering, customer of GRU living outside the city.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “The GRU Authority is needed to isolate the operation of the city utility from the ambitions [sic] liberal political agendas of the city of Gainesville. Rates should be based on business principles, not funding goals of the city and its many ‘worthy’ causes. Funds transfers to the city should be based on GRU profitability, not city wishes. Surcharges for those living outside city limits must be stopped. Winter minimum billing for wastewater charges should be restored to stop penalizing residents who must maintain their properties with irrigation.”

References: Kathy Benton, Gainesville Cycling Club; Charles Courtney, Gainesville Cycling Club; David Patterson, River Cross Church.

Edward Bielarski lives in the Hermitage neighborhood and earned a BA in Accounting in 1977 from Loyala College of Baltimore and an MBA in Strategic Management in 1998 from St. Joseph’s University of Philadelphia. He previously worked as General Manager of GRU from 2015 to 2023.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I was the general manager of GRU while I guided the organization through the buyout of the biomass PPA, as I was able to save $1 billion from the utility’s contractual obligation. I brought the size of the excessive GFT to the public spotlight and worked to mitigate the unfunded mandates from the city commission (Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2045, etc.). I also have over 30 years of experience in the power industry serving for Constellation Energy and Exelon.”

Under awards and recognitions, he wrote, “Won the Bond Buyers ‘Deal of the Year’ in 2013 for the Northeast US recognizing the innovative City of Allentown Concession Agreement.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I was brought to Gainesville to save the city from the onerous contract they had entered into for biomass power. In those 18 months, I learned that at the heart of GRU’s concerns was a city that used the utility as a piggy bank for all of the commissioner’s pet projects. I went up against those commissioners, earning the support of GRU workers and those in the community that understood how a utility should run. I don’t believe there’s anyone who better understands GRU’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats than I. An example of my knowledge & understanding is displayed in my book on the subject of GRU’s struggle with the city, called ‘The City That Lost Control… The True Story of how Greed, Deception, Politics, & a Battle over Green Energy Shattered a Community.'”

References: Dr. David Denslow, Professor Emeritus at UF; Todd Chase, former Gainesville City Commissioner; Dr. Richard Sadove, Medical Doctor.

Craig Carter lives near the intersection of NW 39th Avenue and NW 34th Street, earned his GED in 1985, and works for Coldwell Banker MM Parrish Realtors. He was previously a District 3 Gainesville City Commissioner (2014-2017). He also served on the Gainesville Housing Authority (2017-2023), Police Advisory Council (2018-2020), and Gainesville/Alachua County Airport Authority Board (2020-present). He is a board member of the Gainesville Fisher House.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “Lifelong business owner; citizen of Gainesville for over 34 years; City Commissioner who was VERY involved in GRU, it’s processes, and its’ employees; experience on other boards with local interest. I love Gainesville and want to help solve problems that are keeping our community to be the best it can be.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “During my time as a city commissioner, I found the GRU processes fascinating. I bring good amount of institutional knowledge and I believe that I can help the utility move forward in a fiscally responsible manner. I am willing to be creative to figure out ways to try to lower rates, deliver quality services and still lower GRU’s debt.”

References: James “Bill” Stanley, local business owner; Jeremy Scheer, Pinnacle Site Solutions; Dean Cheshire, local business owner.

Stuart Clarry lives off of NW 34th Street, north of NW 16th Boulevard; earned a Bachelor’s in English from Florida Atlantic University in 1993, a Master’s in English from FAU in 1997, and an MBA from the University of West Florida in 2023; and works as the Director of Telehealth Services at UF Health. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I have been a Gainesville resident since 2001. Prior to that I lived in West Palm Beach. GRU is an opportunity waiting to happen. As an independent thinker, I would apply my fiscal and administrative experience, enhanced by my recent MBA to help develop a tenable and sustainable business model for GRU. I feel that leveraging an entrepreneurial approach to managing GRU will best benefit its customer base and minimize cronyism and corruption from the City of Gainesville.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I want to build a better & independent utility that will effectively serve its original customers; residents of the city of Gainesville. The utility must be freed from the City of Gainesville, as the city has failed in its fiduciary responsibility to its citizens. For many years, the city has placed its own greed for access to an easy cash cow over the needs of its residents. Subsequently, it would be important to determine how to best move forward: maintain GRU as a city utility? A publicly owned Co-op, or sold to a for-profit company such as Duke or FPL.”

References: Robert Donnell, CMIO, UF Health; Randy Graff, UF; Julie Moxley, UF Health.

Michael Cook lives in a neighborhood accessed from the Mile Run entrance on NW 53rd Avenue. He graduated from high school in Mississippi in 1964 and served in the Navy until 1984. He later worked as a contracts principle estimator for BAE Systems in Jacksonville.

He is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Alachua County Republican Executive Committee.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I am a current homeowner and user of GRU services. I have extensive experience in ‘for profit’ industry serving in both contracting and production management. I am familiar with power generation and distribution on military and civilian ships and in paper mills.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I am extremely interested in seeing GRU continue to serve the residents of Gainesville and Alachua County with first-class service while eliminating the burdensome debt load it has incurred under the Gainesville City Commission’s management. I believe that my background in management and leadership in a non-profit corporation, industry, and the military make me a valuable and unique contribution to the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority.”

References: Hugh Davis, neighbor; Kathrine Schmidt, Civil Air Patrol; Margarita Mesones, Civil Air Patrol.

Armando Grundy-Gomes lives near Williams Elementary, earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in 2020, and expects to earn a Master’s of Public Administration in August 2024 from American University. He served in the Army from 1997 to 2002 and in 2004. He has been a Public Sector Leader volunteer for the City of Gainesville since 2007. Before going back to school, he worked as a Senior Account Manager for two firms, and he had an internship with the Federal Highway Administration in 2022.

He is a member of Disabled Veterans of America, IAVA, Student Veterans of America, American University Key Executive Leadership Program, and International City/County Managers Association.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “Strategic, senior-level program management professional with proven experience in leading policy, operations, project management, venture capital, and business development. Proven experties in leading large-scale projects within the public and private sectors. Brings 15 years of leadership experience in the local, state, and federal government. Management experience includes managing budgets of $78M and teams of over 100 employees.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “As a leader, I understand the importance of making objective and deliberate decisions to move the utility forward and prevent repeated mistakes. The utility has a structural budget deficiency, and we must significantly reduce our spending and re-evaluate our staffing levels, especially in leadership positions. As a resident, I have over 12 years experience with GRU, which has given me institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of the utility’s culture. My leadership skills and my ability to approach the budget with a fresh perspective will help us make the tough decisions necessary to move the utility forward. Let’s work together to ensure the success of the board and the utility.”

References: Jamal Sowell, former Florida Secretary of Commerce; Col. Francis “Len” Loving, USMC (retired) and CEO Five Star Veterans Center; Ed Bielarski.

David Haslam lives in Suburban Heights, received his Associate’s degree from Santa Fe College in 2016, and served in the Air Force from 2002 to 2007. He is a member of the Gainesville Quarterback Club.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I am interested and believe in civic duty. I served 5 years in the US military, and have owned a local business in Gainesville for the past 14 years. I believe in giving back to the community, and have partnered with several local organizations, schools and charities over the years.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I believe in civic duty. I believe we should act in our capacity to work towards goals and benefits for the citizens in our community, and that is what I would do as a member.”

References: Roger Austin, UF; Bill Deconna, Victory Church; Miguel Miranda, UF.

James Konish lives in the Duck Pond neighborhood and earned a Bachelor’s in Economics and Juris Doctor from UF. He is currently a landlord and previously ran a legal publishing company. He is a member of the Florida Bar.

He disclosed that he was convicted of splitting a cable signal as a subscriber in a house in 1985; he entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge. He wrote that the prohibition was repealed by a federal law the next year.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he listed his degrees and wrote that his legal publishing company had “Published and indexed regulatory decisions in Florida from 1980-2019, including but not limited to: Utility, Environmental, Tax, Labor, Growth Management Law, etc.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “For the past 20+ years, I have actively opposed the mismanagement and financial exploitation of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GR) since 2002. I have attended hundreds of Alachua County Commission and City of Gainesville meetings, and have a unique knowledge of City, County, and State governments. It was my privilege to assist with then Representative Keith Perry’s HB1325 (later 769) bill. That bill ultimately became Chuck Clemons’ HB1645 bill that became law. Additionally, I have authored dozens of scholarly articles regarding GRU over the last 24 years. I understand fully what HB1645 requires and would work collegiately to implement it in an orderly and timely fashion.”

References: James Coats; Rep. Chuck Clemons; Robert Rush, attorney.

Christopher Eric Lawson lives off NW 23rd Avenue, outside the city limits of Gainesville, earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting in 1989 from Tennessee Technological University, and is the CEO of HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. He has been a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Catholic Charities of TN.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I have held executive leadership roles in hospitals for over 30 years including more than 25 years as a chief financial officer. My current hospital is one of the largest consumers of utilities in Gainesville FL.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I desire to particiipate in leading the development of solutions to our community’s utility issues. As the chief executive officer of one of the community’s largest consumer of utilities, I have a vested interest in the success of our community and of our utility.”

References: Melanie Shore, Seacoast Bank; Eric Godet, Greater Gainesville Chamber; Steve Roark, Cardiologist, retired.

Robert “Chip” Skinner lives in Millhopper Station, earned his Bachelor’s in English from UF in 1992, and is Director of Gainesville Area Lacrosse and a varsity lacrosse coach for Alachua County Public Schools. He was formerly the Public Information Officer for the City of Gainesville (2009-2019). He is a member of US Lacrosse, Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and PRSA.

He disclosed that he was convicted of a reduced charge (from suspicion of DUI) of reckless driving in Ft. Lauderdale in 1989.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “Have lived within the City of Gainesville limits since the Fall of 1987. I have raised 4 children here. I worked for a consultant to FDOT for a decade dealing with utilities, right of way issues and road work. I also worked for a decade for the City of Gainesville as the PIO and have first hand knowledge of GRU. I currently run a nonprofit and home-based business and my wife runs a retail space/art gallery. Communications experience will be helpful on the board.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I have seen the poor decision making in regard to GRU over the years and how it has impacted business owners, lower income families and the community as a whole. The debt of the utility needs to come down and the voices of those outside the City that are customers of GRU need to be listened to and not just heard. My vast knowledge of the relationship between the City and GRU would be helpful in navigating a solution. I am not worried about being ridiculed as this is a hot topic locally, as I have been as a PIO for the City. It is important to have a level head and make progress towards the goal of making the utility more profitable and cutting strings and dependencies on its funds.”

References: Debbie Martinez; Ed Bielarski; Jo Beaty.

Nathan Skop lives in the Mill Pond neighborhood and earned a Bachelors’ in Aerospace Engineering from UF in 1991, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1996, and a Juris Doctor from UF in 2006. He is an Assistant State Attorney and former Florida Public Service Commissioner. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Federalist Society, Rotary, and the Republican Party of Florida.

He disclosed that he was charged with violating the conditions of his driver’s license in 1986, with adjudication of guilt withheld. He explained on the application that a citation error resulted in a bench warrant for failing to appear at a hearing, leading to his arrest, and he explained to the judge that the citation was erroneous.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he listed his experience as a former Florida Public Service Commissioner, attorney, “extensive utility and power generation experience, utility rate making experience, experience speaking with Credit Rating Agencies,” and former faculty instructor at the NARUC Utility Rate School.

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “To utilize my experience and education to serve the State of Florida.”

References: Rep. Chuck Clemons; Honorable Pedro Allende, Secretary – DMS; U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack.

Charles Thomas lives in Arredondo Estates, outside the city limits of Gainesville, earned an Associate’s degree from Santa Fe College in 1970, and was a Utilities Superintendent at UF from 1985 to 2016.

In response to the question about his qualifications, he wrote, “I ran the U of F electrical distribution department. I controlled day to day operations, budget, training, construction and planning. Although I live outside the Gainesville city limits, I am supplied by GRU.”

In response to the question about why we wanted to serve, he wrote, “I live in an area of Alachua County serviced electric by GRU. I am amazed that GRU is in financial trouble. If it had been managed correctly, there should be no problems. Operationally I think there is little wrong with the day to day operation. Things go bad when the City of Gainesville commission makes decisions they know little about. A reasonable ‘profit’ is due any financial entity, but the commission is draining the ‘golden goose.’ Mostly it seems traditionally they can’t tell reality from popular fantasy re; the ‘wood burning power plant.'”

References: Jeff Chorlog, UF (retired); Bahar Armagani, UF; Bernie Rieg, UF (retired).