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Don Gronning
NEWPORT – Chris Jones has been appointed permanent General Manager for Pend Oreille Public Utility District. The appointment was made at the July 15 meeting, effective July 16.
Jones will be paid $220,000 annually. He will also get an additional $500 per pay period vehicle allowance, in lieu of milage; an additional $12,000 per year.
Jones will also get a little more than six and a half hours per month paid time off in addition to the normal time off he would get. According to the resolution appointing him GM, he would get 3.16 hours per pay period in additional paid time off.
PUD commissioners were happy to be able to hire internally. Jones, 52, has worked for the PUD for more than 30 years, starting in 1994 as an apprentice lineman. He rose through the ranks, becoming director of operations in 2010.
Commissioner Troy Moody said Jones was the right person at the right time.
“I think what makes you uniquely qualified is your passion for the PUD,” Moody said. He said he has seen it and heard it in their discussions.
He said Jones had a couple challenges, one of which was keeping pace with the leaders he had on the team. He said Jones was up to the job.
“I’m so comfortable with you stepping into this role,” Moody said.
PUD commissioner Curt Knapp said he also was happy with Jones as a GM.
“We got the right guy for the right job,” he said.
PUD commission chairman Dave Rick said he looked forward to watching Jones work.
“I’ve always been a champion for a local person, a qualified person to be on our staff,” Rick said. “I pray that maybe you’re creating a path for other people, maybe sitting in this room, to follow your steps, your guidance and your direction when you retire.”
Rick said Jones had an advantage.
“You’ve been through a number of managers,” Rick said. “You’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. You know how to stay away from the bad stuff.”
Jones was appointed interim manager after the unexpected retirement of John Janney, who announced his decision at the Feb. 4 board meeting. Janney worked about 14 months as general manager.
The PUD interviewed three internal candidates for the general manager position back in February, PUD board chair Dave Rick said. While three candidates were interviewed for general manager, Rick said more employees expressed interest in the job.
After graduating Newport High School, Jones said he attended Gonzaga University for two years, studying engineering. He decided that wasn’t for him.
“I figured I’d rather be the guy building than designing,” he said.
He worked in Boise for about two and a half years in line construction, he said, before returning to Newport to go to work for the PUD in 1994.
He and his wife, Laurie, have two grown daughters, one studying to be an airline pilot and one to be a veterinarian.
