Reading, MA — By a vote of 5-0 and subject to successful contract negotiations, the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners chose current interim general manager Gregory Phipps as the new RMLD general manager on Thursday. Phipps also has served RMLD as the Director of Integrated Resources. He will be RMLD’s fifteenth general manager in its 128 year history. The eighteen-minute meeting followed several months of interviews culminating in a three-hour and forty-five-minute meeting on Wednesday in which the Commissioners interviewed three finalists.
Commissioner Philip Pacino, in making his choice, shared that he admires the leadership Phipps has shown over the past months as interim and is pleased with his work on the Wilmington substation and in helping begin to change the culture at RMLD. “Greg is a leader,” Pacino declared.
Commissioner John Stempeck echoed Pacino’s statement sharing his belief that RMLD needs Phipps’s “strong leadership and excellent business analysis.” Commissioner David Talbot noted that Phipps had received praise from leaders in all four communities that RMLD serves. Phipps was also the choice for Commissioner Robert Coulter, who stated that Phipps had done things already that he would like to see continued.
Board of Commissioners chair Marlena Bita, who spoke last, indicated her excitement for the future of RMLD. Though she stated her individual preference for former RMLD employee and current Manager of Utilities Administration for the Port of Oakland, California, Jared Carpenter, she also indicated that she enjoys working with Phipps.
“I am fully on board with team Phipps!” Bita exclaimed. Bita voted in favor of Phipps in the final vote, making the decision unanimous.
“This is an exciting time for the electric utility industry as we work to decarbonize our portfolio in accordance with Massachusetts climate legislation,” said Phipps. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a talented and dedicated RMLD team as we operate an efficient and reliable electric system, provide competitive rates, demonstrate excellent customer service, and trailblaze into the future of the electric utility industry.”
The RMLD Board of Commissioners adjourned at 5:18 pm.
