MORGANTOWN — It was an easy decision to make.
That’s how Michael McNulty responded when asked why he was interested in taking over for Tim Ball, who will retire on Jan. 5 after more than three decades with the Morgantown Utility Board and ten years as its general manager.
Apparently, the feeling was mutual.
Following a nationwide search conducted by Giddings Group, of Fort Myers, Fla. the board voted unanimously on Wednesday to hire McNulty, who currently serves as general manager of the Putnam Public Service District, located near Charleston.
He will begin in mid-October and serve in a deputy capacity to Ball until his Jan. 5 retirement.
“MUB is widely recognized across West Virginia as the gold standard in utilities, so when the opportunity presented itself, I just felt compelled to apply for the position and become part of the MUB team,” McNulty said. “The people there are absolutely the best. It’s just an excellent group of individuals that manage the organization and work there.”
McNulty also acknowledged that he’s stepping into some big shoes.
“I’ve been acquainted with Tim for about 16 years and I would say Tim Ball is the best in the industry. He’s not just an incredibly intelligent person, he’s also widely regarded as just a very good man.”
Ball congratulated the board on what he called “the perfect selection.”
“I’m pleased beyond words that MUB and Mr. McNulty have come together,” Ball said. “Mike McNulty is widely regarded as one of the best utility managers in the state of West Virginia. I think the MUB board has made the perfect selection in hiring him. Mike has the skills to continue the MUB culture of daily excellence and to bring fresh ideas that will lead to a new generation of growth and success.”
McNulty will earn a starting annual salary of $170,000. That can jump to $175,000 after six months and $180,000 after one year based on performance evaluations.
Along with 31 years of experience in public utilities, McNulty holds a Master of Science in public administration from Marshall University and Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from West Virginia Institute of Technology.
His hiring marks the first time in MUB’s history that a general manager has been hired from outside the organization. The utility’s succession plans were upended in February with the early retirement of former Assistant General Manager Doug Smith.
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