Hugh Wright Steps Down as Utility Commission Chairman;
Pat Swann Appointed New Chairman

Office of the Mayor - July 3, 2007
Contact: Mayor Allen Joines, 727-2058
Chair Gloria Whisenhunt, 725-1072

After nine years as chairman of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission, Hugh Wright asked not to be reappointed and has stepped down.

Mayor Allen Joines and Gloria Whisenhunt, the chair of the Forsyth County Commissioners, announced today that they have appointed Paschal W. "Pat" Swann to succeed him.

Joines and Whisenhunt praised Wright for his dedication and strong leadership of the commission, which operates the water and sewer systems and the landfills that serve Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

During his tenure the commission completed construction of the $80 million Northwest Water Treatment Plant, completed major expansions of the water distribution and sewage collection systems, completed the lengthy permitting process for expanding the Hanes Mill Road Landfill, and completed planning and began construction of a new landfill for construction and demolition debris.

Wright also negotiated a policy that allows the Utility Commission to sell water to areas outside Forsyth County. These areas pay twice the in-county rate, with the excess payments going into a fund to assist Winston-Salem and Forsyth County economic development projects. Under Wright’s leadership, the Utility Commission provided funds that acquired and rezoned the site for the Dell computer assembly plant. Had this land not been available, the city and county could not have competed for the Dell plant.

"Forsyth County is very grateful for Mr. Wright’s leadership on the Utility Commission," Whisenhunt said. "Under his leadership, our utilities system has developed excess capacity to meet the future needs of our citizens, while at the same time keeping our rates the lowest of all the major urban areas in North Carolina."

Joines said, "Hugh Wright was dedicated to operating the commission in a business-like manner and he was very successful in doing so. We all should be very grateful to Hugh for his compassion and skill in making the Utility Commission one of the best in the country."

Swann, who succeeds Wright, retired in 1995 as Winston-Salem assistant city manger for public works. He has served on the commission since 1997.

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