Greeneville Energy Authority Vice Chairman Tim Teague was appointed as the person everyone should report to while the board finds an interim director after the death of President and CEO Chuck Bowlin last week.
GEA employees have felt the absence of their President and CEO. The called meeting this morning was an emotional one and looked very different with an empty chair where Bowlin would have been seated at the head of the conference table. Those present spoke of Bowlin’s devotion to the community and to the GEA employees, and almost everyone in the room shed a tear when speaking of the loss.
While the board begins the search for someone to serve in Bowlin’s absence, department heads and other employees will report to Vice Chair Teague. Finding an interim replacement at this time is one the GEA’s main priority. Bowlin oversaw several components within GEA, including seven departments. Director of Power Services Dwayne Wells, Director of Office Operations Patricia Kirk, Director and CFO of Accounting and Finance Paige Mengel, Director of Engineering Stacy Bolton, Director of Broadband and Technology Phil Bradley, Executive Assistant and Human Resources Manager Shawn Collins, and Construction Superintendent Mike Finchum – who oversees line men, tree trimming, and construction crews – all attended the called meeting to share their responsibilities with the board and discussed information they would regularly report to Bowlin.
Responsibilities ranged from approval of purchases, contracts, projects/proposals, broadbands items, incident reports, agendas, to minutes and agenda items, employee hours and time, and yearly evaluations. He also was in charge of approving new hires.
The board addressed each of the department heads and expressed their support. GEA will continue their mission as Bowlin would have wanted. Vice-chair Tim Teague said the intent is not to micromanage departments. The board has faith and trust in the directors to do their job. But there does need to be structure and someone needed to be appointed in the mean time, for necessary decision making protocols.
Teague was authorized to make those approvals and act as Bowlin would in the interim. In case of his absence, Board member and Secretary Shane Hite was appointed as co-signer in case a signature was needed and Teague was not available.
Even while Bowlin was at the airport waiting to board his plane for vacation, he spoke with his co-workers at GEA and was focused on work. Chairman Sarah Webster said they will make sure to do a good job and make Bowlin proud. Webster remarked that you’re never prepared for something like this, but you have to get ready. This is a reminder to love now, be kind, and don’t wait until tomorrow to show someone what they mean to you.
