The Post-Journal, October 8, 2008, Wednesday

The Post-Journal

October 8, 2008, Wednesday

The Post-Journal

Board Names New Human Resources Director
By Kristen Johnson

After searching for a candidate for a year to fill a position that has been vacant for more than a year and a half, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities on Tuesday announced it has hired a new human resources director.

David Watkins, who previously spent 14 years as the director of personnel and safety for the city of Binghamton, began work Tuesday as the BPU's new human resources director. He fills a position vacated in 2007 by Ward Near, who resigned shortly before former general manager Wally Haase did in May 2007.

Near's position was filled on an interim basis by Bill Wright Jr., the BPU's attorney.

During an interview Tuesday, Watkins said he was drawn to the BPU during the interview process, during which he said the BPU's management team ''really impressed me.''

''The concern they have for their employees was really exhibited to me during that process, and I really felt it would be a great place to work,'' he said.

As Binghamton's director of personnel and safety, Watkins was the responsible for all labor and employee relations matters including recruitment, compensation, labor negotiations, grievances and wellness.

Asked about any challenges he felt he'd face in his new position, Watkins said he felt confident about his new role and said he could foresee very few challenges.

''To tell you the truth, I think the issues remain the same, but only the faces change,'' he said of his experience in municipal government. ''At both the city level and at a place like the BPU, your most paramount concern is the cost to the taxpayers or to your customers.''

Watkins said he is ''excited'' about the opportunity to work at the BPU, since he felt it might present him more opportunities to be innovative.

''At the municipal level, your hands are pretty well tied on most things,'' he said. ''I think there are fewer constraints here, as far as that goes, and I think there are a number of opportunities to be creative.''

A graduate of Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Watkins has also held various director and vice president level positions in human resources. He has worked with the Special Children's Center in Ithaca, at Mercy Hospital in Watertown, and at Hahnemann Medical University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Watkins began his career in labor relations positions with the University of Illinois and Temple University.

''We're pleased to have someone with David's broad range of experience join the BPU,'' Dave Leathers, BPU general manager, said in a prepared statement. ''The human resources department interacts with each of the five divisions and supports all our employees. Having David in this position certainly strengthens our management team.''