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Search for FPB head will cost up to $80,000

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By Paul Glasser
November 17, 2009

Directors of the Frankfort Plant Board say it will take four to five months to recruit a new general manager and cost between $30,000 and $80,000.

The board is seeking a new executive after long-time general manager Warner Caines retired in September.

A plant board subcommittee met Monday to discuss hiring a search firm to assist in the process. Board members Sheila Burton and Ann Wingrove both said they gave the same four firms top marks, although they had slightly different rankings.

The firms include:

>The Mercer Group, based in Louisburg, N.C.

>Little & Associates from Broomfield, Colo.

>Mycoff & Associates of Conifer, Colo.

>The Pace Group based in Chicago.

That narrows the field from nine search firms that offered their services. Of the four selected Monday, Burton said she was impressed with their proposed plans and experience finding candidates for public utilities.

Burton said the companies have different fee schedules, but the cost would be between $30,000 and $80,000. Additional expenses would also be incurred for bringing any candidates to Frankfort to interview for the position.

All four groups guarantee they would conduct another search at no additional cost if the first person hired for the job leaves within 12 to 24 months.

“That is very important,” Burton said.

Burton and Wingrove will provide their recommendation to the plant board at today’s regular meeting at 5 p.m. in the clubhouse.

The next step will be to check between two to five references for each firm and then select the company they think is best suited for the job.

Burton said she hopes to have an agreement by mid-December and begin the search in January. The four firms each provided a different estimated timeline between three and four months.

 Assistant General Manager Herbie Bannister has been appointed to fill the vacancy on an interim basis with a salary of $124,000.

He said he’s been interested in applying for the job for some time.

Bannister has a bachelor’s in civil engineering and a master’s in business from the University of Kentucky. He’s been assistant general manager for 10 years and oversees the day-to-day operations.

“I’ve been groomed toward taking the next step,” Bannister said. “I feel qualified for the position. Hopefully, I’ll bring something to the table.”

He said he’s interested in seeing the job description, which has not been published yet. Bannister said he’s also encouraged his department heads to apply for the position.

“The opportunity to interview in front of…a national search firm doesn’t come along very often,” he said. “The experience would be invaluable.”

He said he expects there will be two or three other internal applicants for the job.

“It is a competitive position,” Bannister said.

 




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   Next 10 Comments of 15 Total Comments
15.
    Posted by ppack November 18, 2009
To Vivian...I agree with you!

14.
    Posted by webby November 18, 2009
I was thinking along the same lines as Tamed-Shrew: the Board doesn't want to take responsibility for chosing someone so let someone else do it and take the blame when things go awry.

13.
    Posted by Tamed-Shrew November 18, 2009
State government does this all the time for non-merit positions (not all are appointed by the Gov.). They do it not only because of inflated egos (thinking the job worth a national search), but also to have a group to blame if the person doesn't work out.

12.
    Posted by Directv Vs. FPB Cable November 17, 2009
*On My Soapbox*
I think Mr. Bannister would do a fine job as the new GM. My only issue is if you hire him then why did you fire Mr. Caines. If change is what the customers want then why shouldn't you look outside the company for the new GM. Mr. Bannister worked as Assistant GM to Mr. Caines for years. I just don't see promoting Mr. bannister as change within FPB. That being said $80,000 is a lot of money to pay just to find someone for the job, especially if you promote from within.

*Stepping down off my soapbox*

11.
    Posted by hillbillyman November 17, 2009
Why does it hurt anything to look into your own company/corporation? I feel Mr. Bannister could fill the job perfectly. Yes, the customers will obviously end up paying for this expensive search for a general manager. Use this money to improve technology within the Plant Board. What's wrong with seeking someone from Frankfort, your own home-town where the Plant Board is located? Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce suggest to the people of Frankfort to shop in Frankfort and not go out of town. The Board of Directors could look for someone in their own town. I am sure there is someone qualified here and could find many people who are qualified if they would only advertise locally for this position. I am sure I could find other citizens who agree with me.

10.
    Posted by bstacy121 November 17, 2009
This is ludicrous. Mr. Bannister is making $124,000.00 a year and FPB is willing to spend 2/3 of his salary to find someone else to do the job he is doing. Per the article that won't even include bringing the selected persons to Frankfort for their final interviews. Mr. Bannister has stated he wants the job and has been General Manager for the last ten yeats and has some very impressive credentials, so what is wrong with this picture.

My opinion, if I was Mr. Bannister, I would be updating my resume he is going to need it. I figure he is going to retire from the FPB just about as quick as Mr. Caines did.

9.
    Posted by nautilusfish November 17, 2009
$ 30,000.00 to $ 40,000.00 to going to an out of state firm to find someone who probably isn't from Kentucky to come and run our local utility.

This is typical. Where do we find these mental giants and how did they get to a position to make decisions which I will have to pay for? I want new people deciding.

Whatever happened to someone gaining experience in a company which could mean a promotion and one day maybe you could run that company. I doubt it will go to someone from KY when it is all said and done. Typical Frankfort politics.

8.
    Posted by nooneneedstoknow November 17, 2009
you can not contact them.. They never answer the phone and when they do, you sit on hold and then just get someone's voice mail!!!! I agree with "bjos", let us do the hiring!!!!

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