Greeneville Energy Authority President and CEO Chuck Bowlin died unexpectedly on Thursday at age 56 while on vacation with his family. Bowlin’s contribution to the community was evident in his work, his vision for the community, his faith, and his service to community organizations. Local leaders and friends shared their thoughts about him with Radio Greeneville.
The Greeneville Energy Authority issued the following statement on Thursday:
“It is with heavy hearts that we inform our customers and the public that our President and CEO Chuck Bowlin unexpectedly passed from this life yesterday while on vacation in St. Croix with his wife and close friends. We extend our condolences, thoughts and prayers to Chuck’s wife, family and friends for their great loss. Until the Greeneville Energy Authority Board of Directors meet to address this tragedy our leadership team will report to Sarah Webster, Chair and Tim Teague, Vice Chair.”
Statement from Greene County Partnership President Jeff Taylor:
“It is a big loss for this community. The Greene County Partnership is deeply saddened by the loss of Chuck Bowlin. His leadership and commitment to improve the lives of Greene Countians is unprecedented. The gratitude of his support and friendship cannot properly be expressed with words. He was a good and humble man and Greene County is a better place because of him.”
Statement from Town of Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty:
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Bowlin. Leaders like Chuck are few and far between in our community and this will be a great loss to Greeneville and Greene County. Chuck’s involvement in the GEA movement into broadband, renewable energy and economic development will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Town of Greeneville I ask that you keep Chuck and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Statement from Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison:
“I was and remain stunned upon learning this tragic news on Thursday night. The loss of Chuck Bowlin is devastating and my first thoughts and prayers are for his family. Chuck and I cultivated a very close working relationship, and I never found him desiring to do anything other than make Greeneville and Greene County the best it could be. To me, he was the model man: father, Christian, and civil servant leader. I am going to miss greatly his wise, humble, common guy, down to earth demeanor. He led a magnificent organization of professionals that contribute immeasurably to our success, and the effects of his loss will be felt immediately and for a very long time.”
Statement from TN State Representative David Hawk:
“Chuck Bowlin is a friend and strong leader in our community. His very thoughtful approach to managing the Greeneville Energy Authority has moved Greene County in a good direction. His deep faith in God has been an example for all of us who knew Chuck. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife and children as they mourn his passing.”
Statement from City of Tusculum Mayor Alan Corley:
“I am saddened to learn of Chuck Bowlin’s untimely passing. Chuck impressed me as a quiet, yet strong, leader at GEA, and he has long been a friend of Tusculum when we needed expertise or assistance. He was also a strong supporter of our entire community in many ways – many of those efforts, as was Chuck’s way, were not obvious to most of us. Our condolences to his family and friends, and to his family at GEA. He will be sorely missed.”
Statement from the Tennessee Valley Authority:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Chuck Bowlin, GEA President. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Chuck’s wife Tammy and family during this difficult time. Chuck was a valued member of the community and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues.”
Statement from the former Greeneville Energy Authority Board Chair Sarah E. T. Webster:
“Our entire community will miss Chuck and his leadership. His strong belief in religion was relevant in all that he accomplished. We are thankful for the time we had with him Our condolence are extended to his wife Tammy and his family, and his extended GEA family.”
Statement from the former Greeneville Light & Power Manager Bill Carroll who was instrumental in bringing Bowlin to this community:
“First and foremost, I offer my deepest sympathy along with prayers of comfort and support, to Tammy, Charlie, Kacey, David, and Jonathan as they suffer through this terrible loss of a
good Christian husband and father. I’m deeply sorry for their loss. Chuck’s passing will also be felt in his Church where he filled important leadership roles. Chuck’s influence and unselfish work will be missed in business and civic circles throughout our community. Finally, Chuck’s leadership will be missed at the GEA where he and I worked together for many years. I join many, many others in mourning the tragic, untimely loss of Chuck Bowlin.”
Statement from the Town of Greeneville Councilman and former Police Chief Tim Ward:
“Chuck Bowlin was a humble Christian servant of this community. I was honored to serve on the board of the Boys & Girls club for several years with him, and I was always impressed with his passion for helping others. It is a huge loss for this community.”
Statement from the Town of Greeneville Councilman and Greeneville Energy Authority Vice-Chariman Tim Teague:
“It was with a heavy heart that I heard of the passing of our President and CEO Chuck Bowlin. I knew Chuck as a very good, God-fearing man, and I considered us close friends. I would like to extend my condolences and prayers to Chuck’s wife and family for their great loss. As a City Council member and GEA Board member, our loss is still trying to be understood. The GEA Board will be meeting in the immediate future to begin our daunting task in determining our next step.”
The shocking news about Chuck is a terrible loss and will be felt by so many. He was a wonderful family man and has been a major part of the GEA family for 23 years, leading our outstanding utility for the past several years as our President & CEO. Our Community has lost a wonderful and well respected servant. He has devoted countless hours to our local Boys & Girls Club, his church and supported many additional local charities.
From a selfish standpoint, I have lost a friend that I respect very much! He always strived to improve our GEA and has led us to expand into Broadband, for the betterment of our Community. Our prayers are with his countless friends, GEA Family, his immediate family and of course, his wife Tammy.”
“From my time on the Town of Greeneville City Council, I watched as Chuck worked hard to bring broadband and other improvements to our community to help improve our workforce development, internet and phone reliability. He was the right person at the right time to move the Greeneville Light and Power System forward to becoming the Greeneville Energy Authority and branching out into new endeavors and paving the way for progress and job growth with the support of the GEA for local businesses. Greeneville lost a great community leader and an even better person.
Chuck dedicated his life to service beyond that of what he does for a living. Serving as a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, the Lions Club and his
church and many other organizations and boards throughout Greeneville & Greene County he helped to make our community a better place to live. Chuck’s commitment to our board was not just helpful, it was required for us to continue to provide quality programs and services to the youth in our community. Without this type of dedication, our organization would not be where it is today. He has paved the way for leadership both inside our organization and out in the community.”
Statement from the Town of Greeneville Councilperson Ginny Kidwell:
“Chuck Bowlin’s excellent leadership at GEA speaks volumes. His passing is such a great loss, and he will be missed on so many levels. My deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues during this sad time.”
Statement from the Vice President of First Horizon Bank and former Greene County Partnership Chair Jennifer Keller:
“Chuck was a great leader and his absence will be felt by the entire Greeneville community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and coworkers.”
“When you talk about Chuck, you must immediately notice his faith and his walk with God. It was obvious and everyone saw it. That defined who he was and what he did. That’s why he was such a great father and husband. His family meant so much to him. Furthermore, I think it was Chuck’s faith that drove him Into the public service arena. There is not a person in Greene County who hasn’t benefitted from Chuck’s commitment to providing quality and consistent power to all residents. And to do this throughout Greene County is not easy. I think Chuck’s professional legacy will be delivering broadband to this community. His leadership took us through a technology barrier in Greene County that will have a positive impact for generations. Our grandchildren will look back and consider broadband development as important as utility water and power was 100 years ago. Chuck made that happen in Greene County and will be a big part of his legacy. Chuck is a community leader who will be missed, and we pray for strength for Tammy and their children.”
