City Manager Gary King has selected Jeffrey Pearson to head up the city’s newly created Utilities Department. Pearson was selected by King from a final pool of six applicants who were recommended by the initial interview panel.
Pearson was one of the candidates who received a unanimous recommendation from the panel.
“Jeffrey has an extensive background in the management and operations of water and wastewater utility services,” said King in a prepared statement issued Thursday. “His leadership qualities combined with his experience, training and education make him an excellent fit for our organization.”
Pearson worked 14 years as a Unit Operations manager in the Water and Wastewater Utilities Department for the City of Oklahoma City. He moved to Spencer, OK to become their Public Works director in 2003 where he oversaw the Streets, Stormwater, Solid Waste and Parks departments in addition to Water and Wastewater operations. In 2006, Pearson was hired as the Engineering Services manager for Charlotte County Utilities in Florida. In 2007, he was promoted to the director position. Pearson left Charlotte County in 2009 to become the executive director of the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority in Jacksonville, NC.
“The panel did a great job of evaluating the applicants, and we had some very qualified candidates for this new, critical position,” said King. “We needed an individual who had the required skill set and could step in and set the direction for our new Utilities Department. I am confident that Jeffrey will be a excellent addition to our leadership team.”
Pearson has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s degree in Management from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK. He holds several water and wastewater operator certifications from the state of Oklahoma and California State University.
Pearson is scheduled to begin work on May 23. His salary is $107,623.