NEW ULM — Kris Manderfeld is the new utilities director following a special New Ulm Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Monday.

Manderfeld previously served as the assistant finance director. In February, she was appointed to interim utilities director to fill the vacant director position after former director Rod Marshall was let go.

In April, the PUC decided not to appoint a recruiting service to find a new utilities director. It was decided to look at internal candidates and candidates from the previous search.

Two internal candidates were interviewed on Monday. After the interview, commissioner Sean Fingland made the motion to approve the selection of Manderfeld as director and authorize the PUC personnel committee to negotiate terms and bring final approval at a future PUC meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.