EVERETT — Snohomish County Public Utility District commissioners have picked Sid Logan, of Arlington, to fill the commission’s vacant District 1 seat. He is scheduled to be sworn in at the board’s March 28 meeting.
Logan grew up in Alaska, where he studied petroleum engineering at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. He spent 14 years working in the oil and gas industry in Alaska and Texas. While he enjoyed the work, he and his wife wanted to raise their two daughters in the Pacific Northwest, he said.
In 1999, Logan left the industry to become a stay-at-home dad in Arlington. A couple of years later, he started driving a bus for the Arlington School District, a job that fit with his young children’s schedules. He quickly moved up the district’s ranks, becoming head of transportation in 2006 and then director of operations in 2008. He retired from that position last year.
As head of operations, Logan worked closely with the PUD, which has awarded several energy conservation grants to the school district.
“Most businesses are trying to sell you more of their product,” but the PUD helped the school district trim its electricity costs, Logan said.
He was one of 25 candidates for the District 1 seat, which has been empty since Jan. 1, when Commissioner Dave Aldrich’s deteriorating health forced him to resign two years into his third term. Aldrich died Jan. 16.
With so many applicants, Logan said he did not think he had much chance of being picked.
Commissioners Toni Olson and Kathy Vaughn interviewed all candidates in February, and selected Logan and Bruce Overstreet, of Everett, as finalists. After another round of interviews Thursday, Olson and Vaughn agreed on Logan to fill the seat.
“We were impressed by Sid’s background, particularly his energy management work with schools and experience working in other energy industry sectors,” Olson said. “He will be a strong advocate for customer interests and is a solid addition” to board.
The commission sets the PUD’s policy direction and hires its general manager. The district provides electricity to more than 337,000 customers in Snohomish County and on Camano Island. It also provides water to more than 20,000 customers through supplies purchased from the city of Everett.
Logan’s appointment runs through the end of 2018. Voters will pick someone in that year’s general election to finish the final two years of the term. The seat will be on the ballot again in 2020 on its regular six-year cycle.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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