The city is on a search for the next general manager of Lakeland Electric.
Mike Beckham will retire from his position as general manager of the municipal-owned utility effective July 31. It’s a little over four years since Beckham stepped up as general manager of Lakeland Electric in April 2022.
“It has been a privilege to serve as general manager at Lakeland Electric for the City of Lakeland,” Beckham said in a press statement. “As I retire, I do so with gratitude for the opportunity to have been part of an organization dedicated to making a difference.”
Beckham has served a total of 11 years with the utility company. He was hired in June 2015 to serve as LE’s assistant general manager. During his tenure as general manager, Beckham oversaw the demolition of Lakeland Electric’s last coal-powered plant, McIntosh Unit 3, and construction of its new natural-gas powered RICE engines from MAN Energy.
Beckham was also at the helm for the negotiation of a power-purchase agreement with Wililams Company for the roughly 74.8-megawatt solar farm being built near Florida Polytechnic University.
Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse expressed his gratitude for Beckham’s leadership.
“The City of Lakeland congratulates Mike Beckham on his retirement, we fully support his decision and are grateful for his decade of service and leadership,” Sherrouse said in a statement. “His contributions over the past decade have helped position Lakeland Electric for continued success, and we wish Mike and his family the very best in his retirement.”
Lakeland Electric will continue its daily operations without a general manager while the city makes a decision regarding who will be next to lead the utility.
“We are very fortunate to have a strong leadership team of assistant general managers who will ensure continuity of services and operations,” Sherrouse said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland Electric’s general manager retires. City looks for new leader
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
