Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority selects Carey as executive director
Loading...
Summary
The Solid Waste Authority voted 6-0 to appoint Carey, the authority's managing director and internal candidate, as its next executive director; the board directed staff to bring a proposed contract back at the Dec. 10 meeting and cited continuity for upcoming projects.
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County voted unanimously to appoint Carey, the authority’s managing director and the board’s internal candidate, as its next executive director.
Board members voted 6-0 to approve the appointment after Carey described his technical credentials and long record with the authority. "I've been a resident of South Florida for about 35 years... I have a bachelor's degree and master's degree in engineering and an MBA in international business," Carey said, adding that he is a Florida professional engineer, board certified in the solid waste specialty and has "32 years of experience" with 25 years working on authority projects.
Why it matters: The board framed the appointment as a continuity decision. Commissioners said Carey’s long involvement with the authority and experience on major projects — including work connected to a 2015 waste-to-energy plant — make him well positioned to oversee upcoming initiatives such as plant replacement and hauling-contract work.
Commissioner Weiss, who led a public endorsement during the meeting, told colleagues she had confidence in Carey as the next executive director. "I have confidence in you as our next executive director," she said, and said she would support the appointment. Commissioner Sachs and other members likewise expressed support for maintaining continuity after outgoing director Pelowitz.
Board procedure and next steps: The board moved and seconded the appointment during the meeting and approved the motion on the recorded vote, 6-0. Attorney Jones said the new director’s contract will be prepared and brought back to the board; staff indicated the authority plans to include the item on the authority's Dec. 10 meeting agenda, subject to county scheduling. Jones said he would use recommendations from Evergreen Solutions (provided in the board packet) as a starting point for the contract language.
Outgoing director Pelowitz, who was recognized during the meeting, praised staff and the in-house marketing work and said he is confident the authority will be in good hands. "The authority's in good hands with Carey," Pelowitz said, and thanked employees for their service.
What was decided and what was not: The board formally appointed Carey as executive director. The contract’s final terms and the effective date were not resolved at the meeting; Attorney Jones and staff said they would return with contract language and timing at a subsequent meeting (staff indicated Dec. 10 as the target date). No other formal policy changes or budget items were adopted as part of the appointment.
The meeting ended with thanks to Pelowitz and an adjournment.
