Kaiman in running for LIPA CEO

Joe Nikic

Nassau Interim Finance Authority Chair Jon Kaiman said Friday he has held talks with Long Island Power Authority board members about the utility’s chief executive position, which has been vacant for four months.

“There has been some discussions,” Kaiman said. “Some of it informal and some of it with the committee that’s in the process of making the recommendation to the board.”

LIPA’s chief executive post opened in August when John McMahon, a former Con Edison executive, stepped down after two years at the helm. 

Newsday reported other candidates for the vacant position include LIPA board members Matthew Cordaro and Mark Fischl, LIPA chief of staff Tom Falcone, and director of the Long Island Department of Public Services, Julia Bovey.

Kaiman, a Great Neck resident, was considered for the position in 2013 after a change in top executives saw McMahon appointed.

LIPA board members, at the time, discussed whether a candidate with utility experience or governmental experience best served the company.

According to Newsday, Kaiman has highlighted his experience in storm response, local tax and zoning issues and municipal debt to the LIPA board.

“My observation is there has been an evolution of LIPA where PSEG has taken on the role of full utility management and staff and LIPA still has the policy and oversight role that is more traditionally government in nature,” Kaiman said. “A government manager might be best suited.”

Kaiman served as North Hempstead Town Supervisor from 2003 until September 2013, when he resigned to serve as special advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Long Island storm-recovery initiative.

Shortly before leaving office in September 2013, Cuomo also appointed him as NIFA’s chairman. 

An unnamed LIPA board member, Newsday reported, said he would support Kaiman.

“I am following the LIPA board process in regard to the selection of the next CEO,” Kaiman said in an email. 

Efforts to reach LIPA spokesman Sid Nathan were unavailing.

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