Top People at Wyandotte Municipal Services Are Leaving

Two of the top people at Wyandotte Municipal Services are leaving their posts to take similar jobs elsewhere.

General Manager Melanie McCoy and Director of Power Supply James French have turned in their letters of resignation. McCoy's last day is Feb. 1, while French's last day is today.

McCoy is leaving to become the superintendent of the public utility in Sebewaing, which is located about 125 miles from Wyandotte in Michigan's Thumb area.

French is leaving to become the general manager of the public utility in Richmond, IN.

McCoy said she has mixed feelings about leaving, but is excited for the new opportunity as it's located about 40 miles from Port Austin, where she has a cottage and often visits throughout the year. 

"I spend a lot of my free time up there," she said. "It’s where I love to go and just relax. It's right on Lake Huron, so it's got the water and woods all around. ... It’s where I want to retire to."

McCoy said it's just a coincidence that she and French are leaving at about the same time.

"It was a shock to the both of us," she said. "He came in and sat down and closed the door. He told me what was going on and I said: 'Oh my gosh. I’m in the same position.' I think we surprised each other."

McCoy, who's led Wyandotte Municipal Services for the last seven years, had nothing but positive things to say about her time with the city.

"This was my first experience working for a municipality," she said. "I cannot believe what good people we have in this utility. They do so much. We went through a lot of changes in the last seven years, but I think every department is set right now, knock on wood." 

Members of Wyandotte's Municipal Services Commission have named Rod Lesko as acting general manager and Paul LaManes as assistant general manager.

Prior to their promotions, Lesko was the superintendent of transmission and distribution at Wyandotte Municipal Services and LaManes was assistant to the general manager.