HARLINGEN — There is a new boss at the helm of the city’s utility system.
After a three-month search, the Harlingen WaterWorks System’s board of directors has selected Timothy Skoglund, a project manager with the San Antonio Water System, as the utility’s general manager.
Skoglund, a licensed engineer, was one of seven candidates for the job.
Skoglund served as utility engineer with the McAllen Public Utility from 2003 to 2015, according to a LinkedIn profile.
City commissioners are expected to consider ratifying Skoglund’s appointment on April 19.
“From his experience and education, he was a standout,” board Chairman Josh Fields said yesterday. “He interviewed especially well. I like how methodical and deliberate he is. By all accounts, he’s very proficient as an engineer and a public servant. He had a lot of confidence based on his experience and knowledge.”
Skoglund holds an engineering degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree, Mayor Chris Boswell said.
“He’s very well qualified, with good experience with the McAllen utility and academic credentials,” Boswell said.
Skoglund brings a “unique range of experience and diverse perspectives in utility leadership including regulatory requirements, management and in delivering large and complex infrastructure projects,” according to a WaterWorks statement. “He also brings a comprehensive understanding of the administrative and operational functions of both a water and wastewater utility.”
Fields declined to disclose Skoglund’s salary offer.
Skoglund will decide if he will hire an assistant general manager who would serve as the utility’s engineer, Fields said.
Board members also considered seven candidates for the assistant general manager’s job.
Skoglund is expected to replace Darrell Gunn, who served as general manager from 2008 until his retirement in 2016.
Gunn, an engineer, also served as the utility’s engineer after leaving open the assistant general manager’s job.
Gunn, who drew a salary of $150,000, is working as a consultant under a one-year contract paying $100 an hour for as many as 20 hours a week.
Timothy Skoglund file:
San Antonio Water System project manager
McAllen Public Utility engineer
University of Texas engineering degree
