| The
upcoming new year will bring something new for Owen Electric.
The county’s power company will undergo new leadership as
of Dec. 31.
Current president and CEO Bob Marshall is resigning to become
president and CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
His successor is Bob Hood, senior vice president of engineering
and operations at the company and Marshall’s longtime friend.
The two have known each other for 37 years and, before working
together at Owen Electric, they were co-workers at Florida Power
and Light.
“He’s committed to continue to move Owen Electric
forward,” Marshall said of Hood.
He said the move happened quickly, because the opportunity just
presented itself in the past couple of weeks. He will continue
to live in Owen County for a while and commute to Winchester for
the job.
Marshall and his wife Paula have been very active members of the
community. Marshall chaired the New Horizons Medical Foundation
and helped to raise close to $800,000. His wife has volunteered
at local food drives.
He is positive about his move to East Kentucky Power, saying it
is a good move for Owen County.
“I will take my strengths to utilize to help East Kentucky
Power progress,” he said.
Marshall will still be working for Owen Electric, just in a different
capacity. Owen Electric owns 1/16 of East Kentucky Power.
As for Owen Electric, Marshall believes it is being left in good
hands.
“The board felt comfortable making the change because of
Bob’s leadership,” he said.
While his contract with Owen Electric will not be up until 2009,
he has committed to three years at East Kentucky Power.
“After that, we’ll see,” he said.
Hood said he is “honored to be asked to serve such a great
organization that is committed to its members.” While becoming
president was not something he expected when he came to work for
the company, Hood said he is excited for the change. He is also
excited for Marshall’s future at East Kentucky Power
Hood said he doesn’t believe much will change, and he will
continue serving the community and keeping the primary focus on
the safety of the work force.
“He (Marshall) will do a lot for Owen by being CEO (at East
Kentucky Power),” Hood said.
Marshall became president of Owen Electric in January 2000. A
graduate of Clemson University, he received a Bachelor of Science
degree in civil engineering.
In 1969 he started his career as a field engineer at Florida Power
and Light. He worked there for 28 years and left as Vice President
of Distribution.
At Florida Power and Light, he oversaw 4,500 employees who provided
services for 2.8 million consumers. He also spent time as the
general manager at Coosa Valley Electric in Talladega, Ala. He
had the opportunity to interview for the position at Owen Electric
in 1999.
Since then he has had a number of accomplishments with the company,
the greatest of which he said is “bringing the spirit of
teamwork to the organization.”
He is also proud of the quality of services the company has given
to members. He has placed a strong emphasis on safety in his time
there.
“It’s a very dangerous business,” he said. “Our
record has improved since I’ve been there.”
Owen Electric has 132 employees and serves 9 northern counties:
Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Grant, Carroll, Scott, Gallatin
and Owen. The company has been in operation since 1937.
Before Marshall resigned, he had to ask the board, and they took
a vote. Ann Bond is a board member for the company. She said while
they hated to see Marshall leave, they know he will do well in
his new venture. She also said she believes Hood will make a good
CEO.
“The saddest part of the move is leaving the community,”
Marshall said. “(It has) been good to us, we will sadly
miss it.”
Click
Here to Go Back to Front |
