Norwich — The Norwich Board of Commissioners recently elected Stewart Peil as chairman following his reappointment to another five-year term on the board by the City Council on March 21.

Peil succeeds Commissioner Bob Staley, who served as chairman for the past three years, the term limit according to the board’s bylaws. Staley remains a member of the board.

"Commissioner Peil has been an outstanding member of the NPU Board for the past five years and we are very pleased with his unanimous election by his fellow commissioners," Chris LaRose, NPU general manager, said in a news release announcing the appointment. “Stew's technical and engineering background have been a great asset for our organization, and we will continue to benefit from his expertise in the days ahead."

Peil has served on the board since March 2017. He is a graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Peil has spent his entire professional career at Electric Boat beginning in 1981. He is a principal engineer with the team responsible for the main propulsion motor for the Columbia class of submarines.

"I am very excited to serve as chairman of the Board of Commissioners and look forward to working more closely with Chris and the staff at NPU," Peil said in the news release. "There are a number of important projects and opportunities ahead for NPU that will support our focus on economic development and generating new revenues for NPU and the city."

Peil is also a member of the Lowthorpe Meadow Association, an organization responsible for a 17-acre land trust in Norwichtown.

Also, during the March board meeting, Commissioner Ashon Avent was elected vice chairman and commissioner Bill Warzecha was elected secretary.