NSB Utilities Commission balks at $250K salary for top CEO candidate

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick.

Richard J. Rodi, who was paid $150,000 by the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission after announcing in March that he was resigning May 24, will be succeeded on an interim basis from within after the utility board balked at the $250,000 salary demand of its top candidate.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Utilitities Commission is looking within - at least for now - in selecting a chief opetarating officer after the top candidate sought $250,000 in salary plus $90,000 in moving expenses.

James Gregory, a manager with Southern California Edison in Huntington Beach, Calif. wanted far more than the utility's advertised capped salary of $185,000. Gregory was the top choice of the five-member board among 90 applicants.

Robert J. Rodi, at the helm of the utility since mid-2005, announced in March that he was resigning, effective this coming Monday, for personal reasons.

Rodi earned $207,000 in 2009, according to his w-2 wages on file with the city of New Smyrna Beach. He was paid $150,000 by the utility after his resignation announcement.

For the time being, the NSB utility will be run by Ray Mitchum, who is director of electric operations. He is not a candidate for the top job.