Title
GLWA Chief Executive Officer Search - Selection of Executive Search Firm
Body
Agenda of: September 22, 2021
Item No.: 2021-363
Amount:
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: September 9, 2021
RE: GLWA Chief Executive Officer Search - Selection of Executive Search Firm
MOTION
Upon recommendation of William M. Wolfson, Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer and Randal Brown, General Counsel, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), selects POLIHIRE to provide executive search services to assist in GLWA’s search for a Chief Executive Officer; and authorizes General Counsel and the Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
On July 27, 2021, Sue McCormick advised the Board of her intention to retire from GLWA effective September 28, 2021. Thereafter, on August 11, 2021, the Board appointed Suzanne Coffey to serve as GLWA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and indicated its intent to perform a search for a permanent CEO for GLWA. On September 1, 2021, the Board; identified the firms of Baker Tilley, Polihire, and Cabot to be considered to provide executive search services as part of GLWA’s CEO search process, referred the matter to its Legal Committee for recommendation, and authorized counsel to engage the Board’s selected executive search firm.
JUSTIFICATION
GLWA is one of the largest utilities in north America serving approximately 40% of Michigan’s population across large and complex water and wastewater systems. In order to conduct a robust search to fill its CEO vacancy, the Board wishes to utilize an executive search firm to identify qualified candidates throughout the country to assist the Board in its review and selection of a CEO.
BUDGET IMPACT
The proposed procurement of executive search services is within the FY 2022 budget for contractual services.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter was reviewed by the Legal Committee at its meeting on September 15, 2021. The Legal Committee unanimously recommended that the GLWA Board selects POLIHIRE to provide executive search services to assist in GLWA’s search for a Chief Executive Officer.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.