Departing LIPA chief steps away from job search

Long Island Power Authority chief executive Kevin Law will not take part in the formal search for his replacement, despite a note from LIPA chairman Howard Steinberg to fellow board members Friday saying he would.

Steinberg's note, which also said the search committee would consist of "a few" unspecified company officers and trustees, said the committee would move quickly to find a replacement for Law, perhaps by June.

But in an e-mail Sunday, Law said he would not take part in the formal selection process. His comment came after one board member expressed concern Friday about Law's presence on the search committee.

"It was suggested, but I will stay out of it," Law said in his e-mail. "But I will make suggestions as to the type of person they should consider."

In an e-mail Sunday, Steinberg said, "Kevin's participation in the process is the subject of some discussion and will be settled in the next day or two, when the composition of the search committee is finalized."

The committee is moving quickly to find a replacement for Law, who unexpectedly accepted the post of president of the Long Island Association on Wednesday. The committee wants to find a replacement before the State Senate recesses in late June. Law's last day at LIPA is Aug. 30. Under recently passed public authority legislation, the Senate must confirm a LIPA chief executive. There appear to be no rules about the makeup of search committees.

One board member expressed objections to the committee makeup on Friday.

"This process does not have the endorsement of the full board," said one LIPA trustee, who asked not to be named to avoid compromising his position. "It is not a recommended management practice for Kevin to serve on the search committee. His opinion carries too much weight with the senior staff who are also said to be on the committee."

In his memo to trustees, Steinberg said the committee will "review potential candidates and make a recommendation to the [trustees'] personnel and compensation committee and the full board of trustees."

Steinberg's memo didn't mention the fall elections and the prospect that a new governor may want to recommend a new chief. He seemed more intent on filling the post before the Senate's summer break.

"I am hopeful that we can identify a good candidate in time to submit her or his name to the Senate before the June recess, although obviously that is ambitious," Steinberg wrote.

"The board will be kept informed as circumstances warrant."Law said the search committee makeup was not finalized.

"It's all preliminary right now and the process [makeup of a committee, the human resources consultant, the schedule] have not been decided but Howard will make those decisions in the near future."