Mike Brown Elected CFPUA Board Chair
Patricia Kusek Assumes Vice Chair Role
Contact: Mike McGill
mike.mcgill@cfpua.org
(910) 332-6074
(910) 622-8472
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilmington, NC – July 13, 2016: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) is pleased to announce that Michael (Mike) Brown has been elected to serve as its new Board Chair. Appointed by New Hanover County in 2010, Brown was selected by the CFPUA Board’s Nominating Committee last month and elected to the Chair’s role during this morning’s monthly Board meeting. His term lasts for one year with the ability to serve two additional one-year terms. Brown succeeds Patricia Kusek, who was elected Vice Chair.
“For the past six years, I’ve been proud to serve as part of a hard-working board dedicated to helping CFPUA properly manage and operate high-quality water and sewer services,” said Brown. “I look forward to continue our work on behalf of our ratepayers and our dedicated staff.”
Brown spoke of his priorities for CFPUA. “CFPUA plays an essential role in our community; our work has a direct impact upon our area’s overall quality of life.” said Brown. “My primary goals are to continue the progress we have made - on behalf of our customers - in the areas of customer service and financial management. I also want to ensure CFPUA is properly prepared to bring service to areas in need.”
Since his appointment, Brown has served on several major board committees, including several years of service as the chair of the Finance Committee. He is a Vice President of Cape Fear Commercial, playing an active role in the firm’s Development Services Division. He is also a partner in the firm’s sister entity GHK Cape Fear Development Company.
A Wilmington native and 2004 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in both Economics and Management in Society, Brown is actively involved in the local community. He serves on the executive committee of the Cape Fear Council of the Boy Scouts of America; is a board member for the Carousel Center; and serves on the Vestry at St. James Church. Mike and his wife, Jamie, reside in Wilmington with their son, Corbett.
Incoming Vice Chair Patricia Kusek has served as a member of CFPUA’s Board since 2011. Jointly appointed by both the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, she served as CFPUA Chair for the last two years. Kusek founded the Kusek Financial Group in 2003, a financial consulting services firm based in Wilmington, and holds several finance-related professional licenses. Prior to starting her firm, Kusek served in a variety of leadership roles in account and community relations management for Duke Energy.
Kusek is an active participant in the community as a member of the Cape Fear Rotary Club. She has served in several past volunteer roles during her time in Wilmington, including as a trustee of the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation and a member of the Executive Advisory Board for UNCW’’s Cameron School of Business.
Speaking of Brown, Kusek said, “Mike possesses a great deal of experience in dealing with both the day-to-day and long-term issues CFPUA faces. He is an excellent choice to continue to build upon the success CFPUA has experienced in recent years.”
Kusek stated her priorities are tied to CFPUA’s role in supporting economic development. “Comprehensive, long-range planning for the future has never been more essential,” said Kusek. “I was proud to lead CFPUA in its effort to bring central water and sewer services to the U.S. 421 Corridor. They prime the area for long-awaited economic development.”
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than 1,000 miles of water distribution mains and nearly 1,000 miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org or contact CFPUA’s Communications staff at communications@cfpua.org.