Leadership Team

William G. Thiess, Director of Utilities

William G. Thiess was appointed to his position August 2006. Prior to his employment at FPUA, Mr. Thiess accumulated 20 years of experience in the environmental engineering field with three consulting firms in Fort Pierce and Gainesville. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering from Clemson University and a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. Mr. Thiess has served as either Alderman or Mayor of the Town of St. Lucie Village continuously for the past 17 years, serving 14 of those years as the Town's Mayor. He has been employed by the Authority since January 1999 as a Senior Sanitary Engineer and was promoted in March 2000 to Supervising Engineer.

Thomas W. Richards, Director of Electric and Gas Systems

Thomas W. Richards was appointed to this position in February 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Systems Science, and a Master of Business Administration degree, all from Michigan State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida. He has more than 35 years experience in various engineering, administrative, supervisory, marketing, and management capacities related to electric and natural gas utilities, which include three years as a marketing manager with a Toledo, Ohio based consulting engineering firm, four years as a general manager for the municipal electric utility of Traverse City, Michigan, and 15 years in various technical and administrative capacities at a large Jackson, Michigan based gas and electric utility. Mr. Richards joined the Authority as Director of Electric & Natural Gas systems in January 1991.

Timothy E. Perkins, Director of Water/Wastewater Systems

Tim Perkins was hired as FPUA's Director of Water/Wastewater Systems in September 2006. Mr. Perkins has been a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer for 24 years. Prior to his employment at FPUA, he worked for 22 years with Jacksonville Electric Authority in the water and wastewater field. Mr. Perkins also worked for Sverdrup and Parcel Consulting Engineers. He graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. Mr. Perkins is a United States Coast Guard veteran having served for 4 years.

Douglas W. Giel, Director of Shared Services

Douglas W. Giel has been with the FPUA since February, 1989. Prior to being promoted to Director of Human Resources in September, 1996, Mr. Giel was the FPUA Manager of Human Resources, and has now been reclassified as Director of Shared Services. He holds a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Business Administration from Long Island University. Prior to working for the FPUA, Mr. Giel was an instructor with the University of Hawaii for approximately five years. He held various positions with Lafarge Corporation (international cement and construction products), with fourteen years human resource experience including safety, labor relations, training, counseling, administration and information systems.

Nina Hurtubise, Director of Finance

Nina B. Hurtubise was appointed to this position in February 2008. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, cum laude. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1985. She has served as FPUA’s employee representative to the Fort Pierce Retirement and Benefit System from 2001 to 2008. Prior to her joining FPUA in 1995, Ms. Hurtubise worked for the public accounting firm of McAlpin, Curtis and Associates for five years, and was the Accounting Supervisor for New Horizons of the Treasure Coast for six years. In the 1980’s, she served as an external auditor for the City of Fort Pierce. Prior to her appointment as Director of Finance, she had served FPUA as Budget Officer, Utility Accountant, Billing Manager and Controller.