TALLAHASSEE — A nominating panel Thursday sent the names of seven finalists, including state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, to Gov. Rick Scott as he prepares to make appointments to two seats on the Florida Public Service Commission.
In addition to Patronis, the list includes current Commissioner Julie Brown, former state Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, Gerardo “Jerry” Fernandez, an engineer who is owner of Fernandez Consulting Group Inc. in Miami; Stuart Pollins, chief policy analyst in the governor’s Office of Policy and Budget; Patrick Sheehan, director of the Office of Energy in the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and Kevin Wiehle, chief legislative analyst with the Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee.
The nominating panel met Thursday in Miami after deciding last month to interview 16 candidates for two upcoming vacancies on the board. The terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January. Balbis decided against seeking another four-year term on the commission, which regulates utilities.