Mike Richard has been hired as the new general manager at Greer CPW. He is the GM at the Sylacauga (Ala.) Utilities Board.
Richard, 55, was selected after several months of interviews by the CPW’s Board of Commissioners.
Richard’s first day is March 6.
Richard is the general manager for the Sylacauga Utilities Board (SUB) in Sylacauga, (syl-a-cau-ga) Ala., in Talladega County, and has served in many roles with the company including Operations Director, Electric Superintendent and Staff Engineer for more than 25 years.
Sylacauga, a city of 12,749 (2010 census) and the utility claims more than 12,000 customers in its service area.
The SUB is similar to Greer’s utility and its board makeup. Both companies have three commissioners with Greer’s board elected and SUB’s appointed by City Council.
“My wife, Cindi, has family in the Wilmington, N.C, area and we’ve always loved the Carolinas. We are excited to be closer to family and continue the great foundation already set in Greer,” said Richard.
Richard’s first job out of college was with Carolina Power and Light in Charlotte, N.C.
Richard oversees 61 employees and a $51-million-dollar budget that handles natural gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunications services in Alabama. That fits Greer CPW with its four utilities it manages.
“My first job when I get to Greer is to get to know the team,” Richard said. “I want to be able to give them the help and resources they need. It appears they have been doing a good job.”
“Mike’s educational background plus his significant management experience proved to be a strong combination as we narrowed the field of national candidates,” said Perry Williams, CPW Chairman.
SUB also manages Internet services and Richard said he anticipates using that capability into CPW’s future. “I think it’s a critical component for us and it can provide the customer additional information.
Richard graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and also received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Richard and his wife Cindi have two children, Alex (24) and Caity-Lyn (18).
Richard said his children will be visiting Greer this weekend to sign a lease in a downtown apartment.