GOV. JEANNE SHAHEEN has nominated NH Bar members Peter C. Hildreth and Thomas B. Getz as the state’s bank commissioner and Public Utilities Commission chair, respectively.

Hildreth, 50, of Concord, has been the state’s director of securities regulation since 1992. If approved by the Executive Council, he will succeed A. Roland Roberge, who served as the bank commissioner for 25 years before dying unexpectedly last month. Hildreth would complete Roberge’s term, which expires in January 2007.

Hildreth is a graduate of Franklin Pierce Law Center and was admitted to the NH Bar in 1982. He practiced law as a member of the Winograd Professional Association in Concord for four years and served for four years as a hearings examiner for the Dept. of Safety before becoming director of securities regulation. In 1998-99, he served as chair of the North American Securities Administrators Association.

In a statement, Shaheen cited Hildreth’s "long experience" working with the financial industry in New Hampshire. "He is a professional who has consistently demonstrated his dedication and his commitment to fairness and protecting the people of New Hampshire," she said.

Hildreth said he was "pleased and honored" to be nominated as banking commissioner. "It’s a position I’ve been interested in and I’m glad the governor nominated me," he said.

If confirmed as banking commissioner, Hildreth expects he’ll be grappling with recent changes in the world of finance. "Financial services are seeing changing times, with banks, securities firms and insurance companies merging. This poses some challenges for regulators and I’m looking forward to dealing with those challenges," he said.

Hildreth believes that his background in securities regulation will help him bring a unique perspective to the position of banking commissioner. "Given I’ve worked in securities, I bring different things to the table," he said.

If confirmed, Hildreth said, he also hopes to work with state-chartered banks to keep them viable in NH.

Getz , 47, also of Concord, would replace Douglas Patch as chair of the PUC. His term would run until July 2007. Patch recently stepped down after nine years as PUC chair to take a job in the private sector.

Getz has served as executive director of the PUC since 1995. As such, he played a key role in negotiating the settlement agreement with Public Service Company of New Hampshire that lowered electric rates.

Getz earned his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center and was admitted to the NH Bar in 1986. He worked as an attorney for the New York Consumer Protection Board and as an assistant to the commission for the New York Public Service Board before coming to New Hampshire. He then served as corporate counsel for PSNH from1985 to 1993.

Getz said he is "very honored" that Shaheen nominated him to be chair of the PUC. "There are many challenges still ahead of the commission and I’m hopeful the Executive Council agrees I am up to the task," he said.

"Among the challenges we face are conducting the sale of the Seabrook nuclear power plant to maximize benefits for customers and the continuing implementation of the federal Telecommunications Act," Getz said.

"It is also important for the PUC to concentrate on ways to improve our ‘customer service,’ which includes improvements such as electronic filing and improved document control."

A confirmation vote on Hildreth as banking commissioner is expected at the Executive Council’s next meeting on September 19. A vote on Getz will be held following a public hearing on his nomination to the PUC, as mandated by statute.

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