Gary Gibson to retire from CU

Gary Gibson, who has led City Utilities of Springfield since late 2019, is planning to retire from the organization.

Gibson, CU's president and CEO, intends to exit in February 2025, according to a news release.

"It has been an honor to have worked with such an outstanding group of people and community. Leading the talented employees of City Utilities has been the most enjoyable and gratifying time of my professional career, which has made the decision to retire very difficult," Gibson said in the release. "Over the past 34 years, I have loved seeing how CU’s leadership and bold vision has been at the forefront of advancing the quality of life in our community in so many ways."

Gibson, who started with CU in 1990 as an intern, in December 2019 took over for the retiring Scott Miller, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Gibson, who previously served as CU's associate general manager of customer operations and communications, is the 10th general manager of the municipal utility company since its start in 1945.

As its leader, Gibson is credited with leading CU to complete a fiber expansion project throughout the city, secure more than $60 million in grant funding for infrastructure improvements, retire the James River Power Station and complete the first phase of the Lake Springfield plan study, according to the release.

“Gary's leadership and vision for the utility and our community has been a guiding force that has led the utility to be a premiere public utility," said Kristin Carter, chair of the Board of Public Utilities, which oversees CU, in the release. “Since 2019, our community and utility has weathered many storms and challenges that we came away from stronger because of his leadership.”

The Board of Public Utilities is slated to establish a committee and start the search process for a new leader within the coming months.