Published: September 10, 2009 11:11 am      

SOUTH COUNTY NEWS: O'Brien man appointed to water management board

Retired engineering executive Carl Meece, 62, of O'Brien, has been appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to serve on the governing board of the Suwannee River Water Management District, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Meece, who earlier this year stated his intention to run for the District 2 Congressional seat, will serve a term as member of the water management board ending March 1, 2013.

James "Jay" Fraleigh, of Madison, was also appointed to the governing board. The appointments, both of which require confirmation by the Florida Senate, were announced Tuesday.

Both Fraleigh and Meece will serve as at large members. The two replaced John Paul "J.P." Maultsby, of Madison, and Louis C. Shiver, of Mayo.

Meece retired as the vice president of advanced programs at Pratt & Whitney, a company that designs and builds aircraft engines, gas turbines and space propulsion systems. He also served as the vice president of engineering at Swagelok, a company that manufactures fluid system products. Meece attended the University of Florida where he earned a degree in aerospace engineering. Meece is a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Gubernatorial appointments to the District's Governing Board serve four-year terms without compensation.