Two people with Akron connections are among four names being sent for consideration to become a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio commissioner.
State Rep. Lynn Slaby, a Republican from Copley Township, is among four finalists the 12-member PUCO Nominating Board chose Thursday. The recommendations are sent to Gov. John Kasich for appointment.
Also among the finalists are current PUCO Commissioner Paul Centolella of Worthington, M. Beth Trombold of Columbus and Michael Verich of Warren.
Slaby is serving his first term in the Ohio House and has filed to run again in the fall to keep his seat. He is a retired appeals court judge and former Summit County prosecutor.
During a phone interview after being named a finalist, Slaby, 73, said he had considered applying for the PUCO post in the 1990s, but the timing was not right.
He said there are a number of issues that will affect consumers statewide that the PUCO will be deciding. Slaby said his experience with utilities is minimal, so he would have a “learning curve.” However, Slaby said, he believes commission work to be similar to his work on the court of appeals.
Verich, a Democrat, is a former state lawmaker and a partner in the Ohio Brewing Co. in Akron. He is a former member and vice chairman of the State Employment Relations Board (SERB).
Centolella, a Democrat, is finishing his first term as a PUCO commissioner. He was a senior energy policy adviser and senior utility attorney for the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel for 10 years.
Trombold is a 15-year employee of the PUCO, having served as director of legislative affairs for four years and director of public relations and legislative affairs for 11 years. Last year, her title changed to director of economic development and public affairs. She is a Republican.
The full-time, appointed position is for a five-year term that begins April 11. PUCO’s five commissioners each are paid $119,995 a year and help regulate utility services, telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, and rail and trucking firms.
Kasich, a Republican, has 30 days to choose a commissioner or ask the nominating committee to send a new list. The Ohio Senate must confirm Kasich’s choice.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/blinfisher and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.
