The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority recently announced Wes Corder was selected as one of the newest appointments to the utility’s board.

Corder takes the seat that was once filled by Patricia Kusek and will complete the remainder of her term, which is set to expire on June 30. His seat is a joint appointment by New Hanover County and the city of Wilmington.

Corder grew up in Wilmington and is currently the president and CEO of Thomson, Corder and Co., a full-service civil construction firm providing services for custom subdivisions, industrial plants and commercial sites in the Wilmington area, according to a news release.

He has worked in the field for more than a decade and is a licensed professional engineer in the state. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from N.C. State University.

Corder is also a member of the Cameron Executive Network at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and enjoys mentoring young students on ways to be successful in business, the release stated.

“As the owner of a local business focused on construction, I know the importance of both maintaining and improving essential infrastructure,” Corder said. “This region is poised for significant growth in the coming years and I hope to bring my knowledge of project planning, engineering, and development to the table for the benefit of our ratepayers.” 

The CFPUA board also selected Jennifer Adams to serve as its vice chair to replace Kusek. A longtime resident of Wilmington who currently serves as the facilities and maintenance department head for Corning, Adams is a licensed engineer for the state and has worked in the environmental field for more than two decades.