In choosing its seventh CEO, the JEA board of directors voted Tuesday to hire an executive from outside the independent authority to lead a change of culture and refocus on customer service.
The board of the utility chose Joseph Belechak, 52, of Pittsburgh, a former senior vice president of nuclear fuels at Westinghouse Electric Co. in Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience in the energy and manufacturing industries.
He was chosen by a vote of 4-1 by the JEA board after he and the other finalist, JEA Chief Financial Officer Paul McElroy, made presentations about their visions for the future of the independent authority.
Belechak will succeed CEO and Managing Director Jim Dickenson. Dickenson and his predecessor, Walt Bussells, had been hired from within the organization.
Board members made initial statements Tuesday explaining their
support of a candidate. Members Cynthia Austin, Vice Chair Mike Hightower and former Chair Ron Townsend supported Belechak, while Chair Ashton Hudson and Lisa Strange Weatherby supported McElroy.
Board member Charlie Appleby was unable to attend and the board is awaiting an appointee from Mayor Alvin Brown to fill an empty seat.
JEA bylaws state that the board needs four votes to elect a new CEO/managing director.
“Recognizing that three of our senior board members are very convicted about this, recognizing that we are in a position where if we defer a vote passed today an undue amount of pressure may fall on one of our board members, recognizing the detriment that may be imposed on this organization if the decision is postponed beyond today, I will let you know that I am supportive of advancing Joe (Belechak) to be the next CEO,” said Hudson in changing his initial choice of McElroy.
Before the official vote, support was 3-2 in favor of Belechak. Hudson met with Deputy General Counsel John Germany before the official vote to discuss options and he returned to support the majority vote.
“You’ve shown tremendous leadership today and I am very grateful and proud to have you chair this board,” said Austin.
“You took the words out of my mouth. That’s leadership,” said Townsend.
Belechak caught the board’s attention during his presentation with a quote from Helen Keller that characterized his vision for JEA’s “Journey to Excellence.”
“One should never consent to creep when one feels the urge to soar. If you are going to do something, do it to your utmost and do it as well as you can possibly do it,” said Belechak.
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JEA CEO/Managing Directors
T.W. Bostwick: Oct. 1, 1968
Lou Winnard: Jan. 20, 1969
Ron Snyder (acting): Jan. 26, 1976
Bill Irving: Aug. 17, 1979
Royce Lyles: Sept. 1, 1979
Walt Bussells: Sept. 8, 1995
Jim Dickenson: Aug. 24, 2004
Joseph Belechak: Oct. 1, 2012