COMMONWEALTH Utilities Corp. Executive Director Bernard P. Villagomez is in the process of creating a new division within CUC that will oversee capital improvement projects and funds.
The Network, Planning and Engineering Division will be headed by a manager whose salary ranges from $60,000 to $69,000 per year and will directly report to the executive director.
In an interview, Villagomez said the new division will result in “more aggressive” search for federal grants.
“We hope to close projects that are long overdue and look for new grants. We will tap federal grants we never tapped or known before,” said Villagomez.
He added that this will pave the way for an in-house construction management type of program that will reduce operational expenses, and will also increase the monitoring of CUC’s projects.
He said the division will need mechanical, electrical and civil engineers. These positions will be funded by CIP monies, he added.
Villagomez, however, admitted that CUC was having difficulties in looking for qualified applicants.
“My aim is to bring in additional licensed professional engineers,” he said, adding that CUC will create an apprenticeship program and will aggressively track down all CNMI-born engineering students and graduates who may be in the U.S.
“We want to re-invest in our people and I intend to implement this in the soonest possible time,” said Villagomez.
