Jim Fair
Jeffrey Tuttle, newly-hired general manager of Greer Commission of Public Works, meets employees Monday morning.
Jeffrey M. Tuttle of Houston, Texas, was introduced Monday as the general manager of the Greer Commission of Public Works effective March 3. He succeeds Nick Stegall who retired in September and Randy Olson, interim GM.
Tuttle is the first CPW general manager hired from out of state. Jerry Balding was the first GM hired, from Seneca, before retiring after 20 years in 2009. Nick Stegall, from Rock Hill, who succeeded Balding, was the only other GM.
“(Jeff) had that wow factor,” during the interview, said CPW Commission Chairman Jeff Howell. “I like his approach, he’s great with employees, real personable and has a good background with industrial services.
“He’s a good manager with strong management within the utility industry. He’s also got a background in retail gas and human resources. This is the time, we felt, we needed a good manager,” Howell said.
Tuttle, 54, served as a consultant the past year as vice president and principal of Gas Utility Services for G2 Partners, in Houston. He retired after 30 years of service in management with CPS Energy in San Antonio, Texas and at Consumers Energy and CMS Energy in Michigan. He served in leadership capacities in national and state energy associations.
Tuttle’s hire was announced to the employees immediately after the commission’s 7:30 a.m. formal action. The public commission did not name the other three candidates – two from North Carolina and one from Tennessee. Tuttle’s contract was not announced. MYCOFF Associates in Colorado was hired by CPW to conduct the search.
The commissioners agreed Tuttle’s ability to manage gas for CPS Energy’s 300,000 customers was a factor.
Greer is unique in it manages all four utilities – gas, electric, water and wastewater. Tuttle has extensive experience in gas and electric distribution, fossil nuclear and hydro-electric generation. His resume reflects no management with water and sewer. “We’re not concerned,” Gibson said. “Water and waste water is two of our strongest departments.”
Tuttle is in town with his wife of 33 years, Kathy, searching for a home. They have two daughters – one in college and another graduating high school in the spring.
“I was reminded of the mild winters Greer has. I hope this isn’t an omen of my coming here,” Tuttle said with a laugh.Employees at the announcement warmly greeted Tuttle and also commended Randy Olson for his work during the interim, shaking his hand. “I couldn’t have been more pleased what Randy did for CPW,” commissioner Eugene Gibson said. “I thank Randy for doing a tremendous job.”
“Our mission is to service the customers of Greer,” Tuttle said. “We have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact on this community, especially like a day forecast for tomorrow.”
Tuttle has a Master of Science in Industrial Relations from Krannert Graduate School of Management and a B.S in Economics from Purdue University.