Inexperienced and under fire, Energy Office appointee quits

David McGrath Schwartz and Cy Ryan

Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 | 7:15 a.m.

The short and stormy tenure of the state's deputy director of the Energy Office will end today.

Joe Enge, who was offered the job despite having no experience in the energy field, tendered his resignation Thursday in the face of growing criticism, saying he was doing it for the benefit of the department.

"It was an unnecessary distraction to the office. They need to focus on the important energy projects to benefit the counties of Nevada," he said. "It was the best thing to do."

Enge, a Carson City School Board member and conservative critic of the education establishment, started his job as the second-highest employee in the Energy Office on Nov. 12. He was hired by Gov. Jim Gibbons' energy adviser, Hatice Gecol, who said she knew his background.

Gecol and Enge had met during the legislative session this year, and she laid off her previous deputy so she could hire Enge.

He acknowledged having no experience in energy policy. The appointment drew additional criticism after episodes in his past surfaced, including drunken driving and fleeing after driving his car through a fence.

Enge, who had been an analyst for a conservative Nevada think tank on education issues, declined to comment on his plans.

"My understanding is that it was his decision," said Melissa Subbotin, press secretary for Gibbons. The governor did not have a role in his hiring and did not seek Enge's resignation, she added.

Gecol did not respond to a request for comment.