Scott to pick two for Public Service board

Two sitting members of the Florida Public Service Commission and a former lawmaker who had a short tenure on the commission are among six finalists who will be considered by Gov. Rick Scott for two upcoming openings on the utility regulatory board.

Commissioners Ronald Brise and Art Graham, whose terms expire in January, are seeking re- appointment to the seats. They made the short list after the Public Service Commission Nominating Council interviewed candidates Wednesday in Orlando.

The two positions attracted 23 applicants, with the list whittled to 11 last month. Along with Brise and Graham, the finalists for the $ 130,036- a- year positions are:

Kenneth W. Littlefield, ofWesley Chapel, a former state House member who briefly served on the PSCin 2007 and works as a funeralhome medical liaison.

James Baumstark, of Crystal River, a former vice president of central engineering for Consolidated Edison Inc. in New York. A U. S. Naval Academy graduate, Baumstark started at Con Ed’s Indian Point 2 nuclearpower plant and later oversaw 400 engineers responsible for New York City’s transmission and distribution system.

Donald Polmann, of Dunedin, a former director of science and engineering for Tampa Bay Water. He earned a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Floridaanda doctorate in civil engineering at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology.

Frank Stubbs, of Fleming Island, a University of Richmond School of Law graduate who was deputy chief of staff for operations at Navy Medicine Support Command. He also was head of hospital operations at Naval Hospital Jacksonville. He is now an adjunct professor, teaching health care human resources management and health care marketing at the University ofNorth Florida.

Scott has 30 days to make the appointments once the recommendations reach his desk.

Brise, a former state House member, and Graham, a former Jacksonville City Council member, were both appointed to the commission by former Gov. Charlie Crist in July 2010 and reappointed by Scott. Brise is the current the commission chairman.

Littlefield, who spent nearly eight years in the stateHouse, was appointed to the PSC by former Gov. Jeb Bush in September 2006 but was replaced by Crist in January 2007 shortly after being sworn in. Crist contended Littlefield was not consumerfriendly enough.