| Steve Burge |
On Monday, Western Energy Training Center Director Steve Burge announced that he will leave to take a job with Savage Industries in Salt Lake City.
Burge, a Carbon native, has served on the county commission since 2002. He said he would wind down his county duties because of his eventural relocation to the Wasatch Front.He was re-elected to the commission position in 2006.
Burge indicated that his WETC resignation would be effective Dec. 31, 2007 and he will take the Savage job on Jan. 1, 2008.
“WETC is and should remain a key facet of our community,” said Burge in an email message on Monday. “Dozens of dedicated individuals in industry, government and education have worked to make it a model. Dr. Bob Topping is still there and, with the assistance of an amazing board, I have every reason to believe WETC will continue to develop into a critical talent development center.”
According to Commissioner Mike Milovich, Burge’s county position will be filled by the remaining two commissioners selecting a candidate from three names submitted by the Carbon Democratic Party. Next November, the appointee would have to run in the general election to serve the remaining two years of Burge’s term in office.
Burge believes WETC will go on to be a success.
“I initially took the director position for six months to assist in getting WETC off the ground,” said Burge, who formerly worked as an instructor in the the College of Eastern Utah’s criminal justice program. “I ended up staying for two years. The task was challenging but we had a great team that made success possible. I am grateful for the chances I had to work with so many amazing people on a topic – energy and workforce/talent development – of such global importance. Still, now is the perfect time for change so that the education, government, and industry collaborators can take this training model to a new level.”
Burge explained that he would work with the current commissioners as he was phased out of his position on county government.
“I can’t give you an exact date yet, but I will be stepping down from office some time during 2008,’ stated Burge. ‘Savage Services Corporation, where I start work in January, is highly dedicated to this community so it has carefully worked out an arrangement with me to allow me to continue my obligations for a reasonable period to give me time to responsibly wind up my duties. I am glad that I will be working with a great company that is so important to our region and that will allow me to stay connected here. I know Carbon County is in great hands with Commissioners Bill Krompel and Mike Milovich. They are two of the most seasoned commissioners in the state.”
Burge said his time with the commission has been productive and he thinks things in the county will remain on track to improve.
“With a new commissioner on board, they will continue to competently safeguard and develop the community, We completed many significant projects the past five years, without any tax increases, that I think have enhanced our community. It has been a pleasure having an opportunity to serve the community,” concluded Burge.