Higher Ed pays off

The highest-paid state employee is Mark Huddleston, president of University of New Hampshire, with a $317,000 salary, according to 2007 figures released on a request by the New Hampshire Sunday News.

That's almost triple what Gov. John Lynch earned last year. The governor, who is looking at making cuts in the face of a projected $50 million shortfall, made $109,410.

UNH spokesman Kim Billings said Huddleston's salary is competitive with comparable institutions. The job requires complex skills, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week commitment and years of experience, she said.

"President Huddleston took a pay cut to come to UNH. Selecting him to lead the university was a good investment in New Hampshire public higher education," Billings said.

University System of New Hampshire employees, including those at UNH, accounted for the top 62 state salaries, with Chancellor Stephen Reno's the second highest, at $250,510. Foundation President Donald Wilson was next, at $230,000, followed by Vice Chancellor Edward MacKay ($219,720) and Whittemore School Dean Daniel Innis ($212,000).

►2007: List of state employee salaries above $50,000
►2007: List of University System salaries above $50,000

Chief Justice John Broderick of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, was the highest-paid state employee outside the university system, ranking 63rd overall.

Just ahead of him was Bill Herrion, head coach of the UNH men's basketball team.

Herrion's salary was $138,590 -- $139 more than Broderick earned.

"Good for him," said Broderick. "Maybe I should go into football."

UNH football coach Sean McDonnell's salary, $130,420, was actually less than what Broderick made, but men's hockey coach Dick Umile had a higher salary than either of them: $170,570. The 2007 salary of Martin Scarano, UNH's director of intercollegiate athletics, was $161,080.

Broderick said high salaries for college coaches can be justified.

"Those folks in sports create broader name recognition for a school and can bring in substantial revenue. Sports are a high priority in American life. As a state employee, I don't want to criticize someone for doing better than me," Broderick said.

Salary figures obtained from the University System of New Hampshire included individuals' salary rate for the job and rate of earnings as of the last pay period for 2007, not necessarily what they earned during that year, according to Matt Cookson, associate vice chancellor for external relations.

Data released by the state Department of Administrative Services for non-university employees included total earnings for 2007.

Forty-eight of the top 50 earners outside of the university system were judges. The other two were Dr. Thomas Andrew, who earned $131,868 as the state's chief medical examiner, and Dr. Diana Dorsey, the state's senior physician, who earned $129,400.

Hopes among the judiciary that the Legislature will add two new judge positions are unlikely to be realized.

"Governor Lynch has made it very clear he doesn't support any new spending, and obviously that would have a cost to it," said Colin Manning, Lynch's press secretary.

Manning said with the state trying to eliminate a possible $50 million shortfall, Lynch is meeting with department heads to find ways to cut costs, but layoffs are not expected.

"In the current budget, the governor cut a number of vacant positions, but he's not looking at layoffs," Manning said. Cuts may include the delaying of filling positions, Manning said.

A number of state troopers weren't far behind judges as top earners.

Among the top 55-100 state earners outside the university system were 12 troopers and one Highway Patrol officer. Of those 13, six earned more than Gov. Lynch, and 12 earned more than Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, who earned $105,816.

Trooper II Susan Harbour was the 55th highest-paid state employee outside the university system, earning $124,431. Trooper II Paul Massaro was 58th highest; at $122,079. Maj. David Kelley ($118,505) and Trooper II John Cody ($118,104) also were among the top earners in the Department of Safety, while State Police Commander Fred Booth made $96,504.

Troopers often work many extra-duty details during the years before they retire, boosting their retirement benefits.

Cody retired and became director of security at Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester. Kelley retired and became director of New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a program that provides resources to federal, state and local law enforcement to combat drugs. Safety Commissioner John Barthlemes previously held that position, according to Earl Sweeney, assistant commissioner of safety.