CPS Energy received 15 applications from candidates interested in filling a forthcoming vacancy on the Board of Trustees representing the northwest quadrant of the utility’s service territory.

The five-member Board, which sets policy for Greater San Antonio’s electric and natural gas systems, is comprised of a representative from each quadrant of the CPS Energy service territory (northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest) as well as the mayor of the City of San Antonio. Trustee Aurora Geis, who currently represents the northwest quadrant, recently announced plans to leave the Board as soon as a successor can be elected. 

“The Board not only sets policy but also oversees the operation of CPS Energy,” said Aurora Geis, CPS Energy’s board chair. “The Trustees rely on their business experience and community insight to make important decisions that affect our customers and our energy future.”

Applicants who responded by the Dec. 24, 2009, deadline are:

• Charles E. Foster, retired, AT&T
• Dr. Kirkland L. Jones, retired, DynMcdermott Petroleum
• Dr. Brian Herman, professor and vice president, University of Texas Health Science Center
• Charles E. Lajier, engineer, MITRE Corp.
• Richard M. McLaughlin, owner, Mathnasium of Northside San Antonio
• Fernando Reyes, president, Reyes Industries & Automotive Group
• Troy Irwin, senior associate, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Gary W. Beckcom, senior vice president, L. B. Industrial Systems
• Pablo Garcia-Lascurain. first vice president, Wells Fargo Advisors
• Nancy R. Kudla, retired, dNovus RDI
• Joseph M. Fonseca, Jr., professor, St. Mary’s University
• Gary Cram, president, Cram Roofing
• Lee J. Rosenberg, P.E., Rosenberg Indoor Comfort, Service Nation Inc.
• Robert S. Thompson, attorney and senior lecturer, University of Texas at San Antonio Environmental Law
• Herb Knoll, senior vice president – retail, Farm Bureau Bank.

Generally speaking, the northwest quadrant covers an area from downtown San Antonio west of Blanco Road and north of Culebra Road/Highway 471. It includes all of San Antonio City Council District 8 and portions of Districts 6, 7 and 9.

The CPS Energy Board of Trustees meets regularly, and Trustees may expect to serve approximately 10 to 20 hours per month. With the exception of the mayor, Trustees receive an annual stipend of $2,000, serve for a term of five years and may be eligible to serve an additional five-year term.

Today the Board will screen northwest-quadrant candidates at a special meeting, and interviews will be scheduled in the next few days with individuals selected by a Board committee for further consideration. A nominee to fill the northwest-quadrant vacancy will be chosen by the Board, and the nominee will be submitted to the San Antonio City Council for ratification sometime later this month.