----3/29/2010----

LINCOLN - Lincoln Electric System (LES) customers are invited to attend the Administrative Board's interviews of four finalists for administrator & CEO April 2-3, participate in question and answer sessions and provide input at a special meeting April 5, before the Board ranks and votes on the finalists, said Chair Dawn Rockey.

"As a public body, it's important that we hear the opinions of our customer/owners as the Board makes the important selection of the next administrator and CEO of LES," she said. "For years, LES has done a great job providing a vital service to homeowners and businesses at a low cost. The direction LES will take in the future is critical to the well-being and success of every customer."

The four will be interviewed April 2-3 by the LES Board at the Lincoln Electric Building (LEB), 1040 O St., she said. The public is invited to take part in question and answer sessions with the candidates April 2-3 at the Walter A. Canney Service Center, 2620 Fairfield St. The Board will then meet April 5 at 7 p.m. at the LEB to gather comments from the public and rank and vote on the finalists.

The finalists, their interview times and public question and answer sessions are as follows:

Kevin G. Wailes, Tallahassee, Fla., general manager-electrical utility, City of Tallahassee, Fla. Wailes has 34 years of utility experience. The interview of Wailes by the Board will be April 2, 8-10 a.m., and he will handle the public's questions 2-2:45 p.m.

Hugh W. Smith, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., president, Recycled Energy Development Holding Co. Smith has 30 years of utility experience. Smith will be interviewed by the LES Board April 2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and will meet the public 2:45-3:30 p.m.

Andy Ramirez, El Paso, Texas, vice president of Power Generation, El Paso Electric Co. Ramirez has 28 years of utility experience. The Board will interview Ramirez April 3, 8-10 a.m., and will talk with the public 2-2:45 p.m.

James R. Webb, Fairview, Wyo., president/CEO, Lower Valley Energy. Webb has 24 years of utility experience. The Board's interview of Webb will be April 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and his public meeting will be 2:45-3:30 p.m.

"The Board has spent several months on this search process and narrowing the field, and now it's time for feedback from the community," Rockey said. "The path LES will take under its next leader is at stake in the decision the Board will make. We sincerely want the input of our customer/owners when we make our selection."