After a couple of weeks of moderate moves, Mayor Katie Wilson has made a serious blunder. Her precipitous firing of Dawn Roth Lindell as General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light was an error of judgment guaranteed to haunt her and potentially do disservice to the utility’s half million customers and 1,800 employees.
Without any public notice or warning, Wilson removed Lindell and at the same time announced appointment of Dennis McLerran, a respected environmental attorney. He formerly served as regional director of the Environmental Protection Agency but has no direct experience overseeing an electric utility.
Wilson fired a seasoned professional in Lindell. Hired in June 2024 after an extensive search by an 11-member selection committee, Lindell brought with her 25 years of experience in leadership roles in Colorado and California. In her year and a half at City Light, Lindell focused on increasing electrical sustainability and was acclaimed for her environmental stewardship. She instituted needed reforms prompted by a workplace scandal that came to light before her hiring; she worked closely with union leadership and gained respect for her leadership.
Lindell’s firing was especially problematic at a time when City Light is approaching critical decisions about acquiring new sources of power to head off looming energy shortages. Mayor Wilson ignored the sensitivity required when undertaking such an experienced replacement. Electric power is experiencing unprecedented demands, and the utility is engaged in the complex process of relicensing Skagit and Tolt River dams.
In past hiring at City Light, Seattle mayors have enlisted selection committees capable of assessing candidates’ credentials and experience. Wilson ignored that customary step. She offered no specific reasons for Lindell’s firing, nor for neglecting an open search involving the City Light unions and interested community members.
When he arrives this month, McLerran will be taking over from Craig Smith who has been serving in an interim role. McLerran too will be acting as interim CEO and perhaps will serve only until a more experienced candidate emerges.
Wilson’s replacement of Lindell has been roundly criticized for lacking transparency by the MLK Labor Council (a coalition of local unions). Thousands of IBEW77 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) union members have signed a petition demanding rehiring Lindell. Wilson’s actions also are being questioned by members of the Seattle City Council. Councilmember Bob Kettle called for rehiring Lindell, as have some union leaders. Both the utility’s unions and the labor council proposed hiring former Mayor Bruce Harrell as City Light CEO.
Whatever steps taken by Mayor Wilson, she will have to live with her rash action. Her thoughtless moves could adversely impact City Light’s standing as one of the nation’s most respected municipally-owned energy companies.
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Jean Godden’s assessment that Mayor Wilson’s abrupt dismissal of City Light Superintendant Dawn Roth Lindell is “an error of judgement” is spot on. Her action portends what may well be a character trait of flawed judgement.
Godden points out the daunting challenges facing Seattle’s storied electric utility. Those include the relicensing of City Light’s historic Skagit River hydroelectric complex outlined this morning in The Seattle Times. This matter is now in the long and complicated process with state and federal authorities.
This is not knock on the man Wilson wants to replace Lindell, environmental attorney Dennis McLerran. It is simply that he is the wrong man at the wrong time for the wrong reason. He has never managed an electric utility. Ms. Lindell has an acknowledged record of solid achievement.
So is Wilson’s decision here a payoff for some unknown political deal she made to help get elected? It’s a fair question.
What this uncalled for move does indicate is this: Wilson lacks any substantial understanding of how important–is sacred too strong a sentiment–City Light is in Seattle. A pioneering public-power company born at a time when private capitalists were buying utilities and charging high rates for this all-important source of energy, City Light is not just another business here.
Those of us who grew up on the City Light side of the street, remember the adults arguing over which was better with those across the street served by the private Puget Sound Power and Light Company, whose rates were significantly higher.
The City Council should withhold approving Mr. McLerran’s appointment and negotiate with Mayor Wilson the return of Ms. Lindell’s return in the hope she will agree to come back.
However this blunder turns out, Wilson now owns City Light issues. She better get them right.