The directors of the Russellville Electric Plant Board have announced the employment of Robert L. White to succeed Larry Wilcutt as the superintendent/general manager of the EPB. White will come to Russellville from the Johnson City Power Board in Tennessee, where he has served in various capacities for nearly 30 years and is currently its chief public relations officer. He is expected to begin his employment with the EPB on May 13.
Wilcutt notified the Board in early 2012 of his plans to retire as soon as a successor was chosen. The Board began its search in October and not only included the local area but also the entire Tennessee Valley Region and beyond. The Board began to interview candidates in February and quickly realized they had found an individual that not only was capable of guiding the EPB in the future and continue its long history of providing reliable electric and broadband service, but also a person that will bring a new and varied prospective of leadership to the community.
White is a lifelong resident of Johnson City and began his career with Johnson City Power Board in 1984 as a meter reader, soon after he graduated from high school. While working at JCPB, he completed his undergraduate work at East Tennessee State University with a BBA in Operations Management. He earned his MBA from Milligan College in Tennessee. He has also completed the course work to earn the distinction as a Tennessee Valley Public Power Association Advanced Certified Power Executive along with other courses offered by TVPPA and the American Public Power Association.
He has been active throughout his career in his community, having served on boards and holding office in civic organizations, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, local planning and economic development. He also served on several regional and state-wide committees. He currently is a commissioner and the chairman of the Audit Committee of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2007, serves on the Advisory Board of SunTrust Bank in Johnson City, and serves as the vice chairman of the APPA Business & Finance Section. In addition he has been recognized with many awards for his service and involvement, most recently he was recognized for “Outstanding Support in Education” by the ETSU Black Faculty & Staff and “Leader in Christian Service” by Milligan College.
Robert White describes himself as a “life-long learner.” He is currently serving on the JCPB’s negotiation and project management team preparing the LCPB to offer the same broadband services now being provided by the EPB. In speaking about Russellville he said, “It’s a small community that’s forward-thinking enough to deploy the advanced communications network (fiber to the home) that they have.”
His wife Karen is a third grade teacher in the Johnson City School system. They have an adult son who lives in the Atlanta area. They will be relocate to and live in Russellville in the near future. Once he and his wife have relocated in the community, a reception will be held to allow the community to meet and welcome them.
A press release says, “The EPB Board is extremely excited and proud to welcome Robert to the community and the EPB.”
Danny Coffey is chairman of the Russellville Electric Plant Board with Jeff Grosnik, Ken Brown and Councilwoman Sandra Kinser as members. One spot is vacant.
The Electric Plant Board of the City of Russellville was created by city ordinance, dated July 7, 1942, pursuant to authority conferred upon the City by Chapter 119 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Kentucky, 1932, as amended. The Board was established for the purpose of owning and operating all properties, real, personal, and mixed, tangible or intangible, acquired or used or held for use in connection with the Tennessee Valley Authority as of June 30, 1942..
The Electric Plant Board began providing wireless internet service to the greater Russellville area in 2006 and expanded its broadband services to video, telephone and high-speed data service in 2011. It currently serves approximately 4,000 electric customers and 1,000 broadband customers.
The Electric Plant Board purchases its electric energy from the Tennessee Valley Authority under an all-requirements power contract. The EPB has various contracts with video providers, a private phone wholesaler, and internet gateways. The Board, once appointed, is autonomous but makes an annual report to the city’s governing body. As a municipal utility in Kentucky, the Electric Plant Board is not subject to the state’s Public Service Commission. The EPB’s electric service is regulated by the TVA according to the terms and conditions of its current Power Contract.
The Electric Plant Board is managed under the direction of the Superintendent/General Manager. It currently has 16 full-time employees and two part-time.