By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
City officials have released the educational backgrounds of the 14 candidates for city administrator, but say their employment histories will be withheld until finalists are selected for interviews.
“The reasons for withholding employment information are all based on privacy concerns,” City Attorney Brian Hanson said. “Applicants may not want current employers to know they’re searching for employment unless they’re being seriously considered for the job.”
A special Assembly meeting to discuss the applicants is scheduled 6 p.m. Thursday at Centennial Hall.
The single agenda item says: Discussion / Direction / Decision to 1) short-list Municipal Administrator candidates for in-person and/or videoconferencing interviews with the Assembly, 2) schedule interview date(s), time(s) and location(s), or, 3) extend the advertisement period, if desired.
The partial release of the applicants’ backgrounds provides significant information, “especially how long they’ve lived in Sitka and what skills they bring to the table,” Assembly member Richard Wein said.
The candidates are Calvin Anderson, John Ardaugh, Craig Cugini, Marko Dapcevich, Franklin Etheridge, Jade Goroski, Liam Hughes, Alan Lanning, John Leach, Loren Olsen, Eddy Reyes, Sheldon Schmitt and Yulia Tsybuteyskaya. Dapcevich, Schmitt and Leach have lived in Sitka.
Calvin Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in business from Long Island University, and a master’s in public administration, from the same school. He also received an associates degree in management studies at University of the West Indies, and earned a diploma in “accountancy” from Bennett College.
John Ardaugh has a bachelor’s in business administration and marketing from Illinois State University, and a law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
Craig Cugini has a degree in ecology and biology from Northern Michigan University. He also studied biology and ecology at Northland College in Wisconsin.
Marko Dapcevich attended University of Oregon for a year (general study) before going to Lane Community College, where he studied automotive tech, speech communication and general study. His areas of study at the University of Alaska Southeast were general study, computers and business administration.
Franklin Etheridge has a master of public administration degree from Troy University in Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Georgia.
Jade Goroski has a bachelor of business administration degree (accounting) from University of Montana.
Liam Hughes has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science, with a concentration on pre-physical therapy, from Oregon State University. He also completed additional post-baccalaureate courses from Western Oregon University.
Alan Lanning has a master’s of public administration from University of South Dakota, with a specialization in public management. His bachelor’s degree is in political science, with a minor in economics from South Dakota State University.
John Leach has a master’s in industrial administration from Purdue University, and an undergraduate degree in operations research from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Loren Olsen has a master’s in business administration from California State University-Fullerton, with an emphasis in management, finance, accounting, marketing, and information technology. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in business finance/international finance with minors in Japanese and accounting and economics.
Eddy Reyes has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s in public administration from Grand Canyon State University. He is working on a PhD in psychology. Other educational experience cited is from Far North Bible College, UAS-Juneau and Life Christian University.
David Rhoades has a master’s of business administration from Anna Maria College in Massachusetts, where his major was leadership and ethics, and labor relations. His undergraduate degree from the same school is in criminal justice. He also has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Houghton College (New York), where his major was natural resource management.
Sheldon Schmitt has a master’s degree in justice administration from University of Alaska Fairbanks. His undergraduate degree is from Minnesota State University, where he majored in criminal justice and political science, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Kappa Phi honors. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
Yulia Tsybuteyskaya earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in Russia, studying software engineering at Platov South Russian State Polytechnic in Novocherkassk, Rostov region. She also studied Chinese language and culture at the China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, China.
“I think there are really three viable candidates, in my mind,” commented Assembly member Kevin Knox today. “We should interview those three and go from there. ... We need to find the right person but we also need to find somebody soon.”
The position is advertised at $125,000 and up, depending on qualifications and experience. The position asks for someone with a bachelor’s degree in public administration or business administration or a closely related field, plus experience in senior management.
The ad for administrator says:
“The ideal candidate is an open, results-oriented team builder who is accessible and understands the political dynamics facing a small city; a creative, flexible problem solver who communicates well and has strong budget skills.”
City Fire Chief Dave Miller has been serving as interim administrator since the Assembly fired Keith Brady in June. The city human resources director position has been vacant for several months, so the Assembly has been directly overseeing the advertising and recruitment process.
