HACEP hired Gerry Cichon as executive director Wednesday, defying a request from HUD sent in a letter to Mayor John Cook that the board delay action.

The board of commissioners did drop two other items that might have been considered controversial: Electing new board officers, and hiring directors for Information Technology and Human Resources.

Cichon, who will have a salary starting at $169,500, takes over as executive director at the end of January.

"I want to give back, and I can't think of a better way than this," Cichon said of the job.

He steps in at a time of low morale, a HUD investigation, and concerns from HUD regarding the selection process.

Cichon said he had no comment on the issues raised by HUD, or the relationship between commissioners or between commissioners and the staff.

"Any comment at this point is premature," he said.

Cichon told commissioners after the vote -- 3-1, with commissioners Jaime Rubinstein, Kevin Quinn and Reyna Brantner in favor and Larry Medina opposed, with board Chairwoman Kenna Ramirez absent -- that "my foremost desire is to provide the best housing available."

HUD previously had asked the board not to take any action pending results from its investigation. It repeated that request, along with outlining various issues, in a letter Dec. 18. Mayor John Cook replied Dec. 19.

"The selection process for a new CEO appears, at the least, to have been Biased (sic), lacked the due diligence expected, and was conducted in a manner that leaves questions as to whether it was fair and equitable," HUD wrote.

In response, Cook wrote that "the CEO hiring process followed this time around was identical to how the previous CEO was hired. ... I have full faith and confidence that my commissioners can and will make the right decision."

Read the HUD letter to Cook, and Cook's reply, via the links below.

Read background to this story here:

-- commissioner pushed bid to aliviane, nov. 28

-- board picks cichon, nov. 28

-- board to elect new officers, hire ed, dec. 17

Immediately following the hire, Rubinstein welcomed Cichon to HACEP.

"I believe we have good staff -- I know we have good staff. I now believe we have the leader we need to move forward," Rubinstein said.

Medina, who opposed the hire and has been at odds with Rubinstein over the process, was conciliatory: "Believe it or not, I'm a professional. Business is business. Life goes on."

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