Utility Advisory Board
The city’s Utility Advisory Board serves as an advisor to the Gainesville City Commission on policy and governance decisions regarding utility services. Formed in 2016, the seven-member board meets at least once a month.
UAB Contacts
Phone: 352-393-1011
Fax: 352-334-2277
Mail: P.O. Box 147117, Station A140, Gainesville, Fl. 32614
Barry Jacobson (Chair)
Term: February 24, 2022– March 4, 2026
Background: Jacobson received his PhD is Biological and Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University and is the President and Senior Project Engineer for Solar Impact, Inc. An impressive history in agricultural engineering, he has also been awarded the National Professional Engineer of the Year for American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Email: jacobsonbm@gru.com
Jason Fults (Vice-Chair)
Term: February 20, 2020- March 3, 2024
Background: Mr. Fults is currently pursuing a Master of Education with a specialization in Educational Technology at the University of Florida, and he's been an Alachua County resident for over 10 years. Fults has a wide range of experience, including work as both an apprentice and journeyman electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and his current position as an apprentice instructor. He has worked since 2009 with the Community Weatherization Coalition, a grassroots community coalition focused on improving home weatherization and energy efficiency for low-income households through education and volunteer work projects. He has received multiple awards and accolades, including the John A. Penrod Brigadas Award for Peace and Justice, and the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference “Unsung Hero Award,” among others.
Carla Lewis
Term: September 17, 2020– March 4, 2024
Background: Lewis is a strong communicator and avid community activist with an AS Degree in Allied Health. She is currently the Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator at Alachua Habitat for Humanity, and the Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Duval Neighborhood Association Board of Directors. Ms. Lewis also serves on many community committees including the Wild Spaces Public Places oversight committee and the Community Weatherization Coalition steering committee.
Email: lewiscs@gru.com
Tim Rockwell
Term: September 17, 2020– March 4, 2024
Background: Rockwell has worked in computer aided drafting and project coordination in Civil Engineering and Construction industries for over 20 years. He is certified in computer drafting and design technology from St. Augustine Technical Institute and received an Associates of Applied Science from Santa Fe College. His current experience includes performing site research and producing initial site designs and conceptual layouts as Production Manager at eda engineers, surveyors, planners, inc.
Email: rockwellta@gru.com
Theresa Spurling-Wood (non-voting member)
Term: March 4, 2022 – March 3, 2026
Background: Theresa Spurling-Wood, CEM, CIE, GCP, LEED AP, is a Mechanical/Technical/Energy Conservation Specialist with 30+ years field experience in the building and construction industries. She previously worked as a residential Efficiency Program Coordinator III in the Conservation Department at Gainesville Regional Utilities and currently serves as Alachua County Public Schools’ Director - Energy Systems.
Email: woodta@gru.com
Dr. Fletcher Crowe
Term: February 20, 2020- March 3, 2024
Background: Dr. Crowe received his PhD from Florida State University, and served in the State Energy Office in Tallahassee for five years, after which he held the position of Power Plant Siting Coordinator in the Florida Dept. of Community Affairs for two years. Dr. Crowe has been a professor at Florida Atlantic University as well as Bethune-Cookman University. He retired to Gainesville in 2013, and has served on the City Beautification Board and the Board of the Matheson History museum.
Dean Covey
Term: March 3, 2022- March 3, 2026
Background: Mr. Covey received a Master's Degree in system Engineering from the University of Florida. He was employed as a System Safety Engineer at Eglin Airforce Base for 34 years and has a long history of work in the Federal Civil Service. Since his retirement, Mr. Covey has dedicated himself to community service, serving on a variety of boards and committees for both local and state government.
John Paul
Term: March 5, 2022- March 3, 2026
Background: Mr. Paul has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida. He is a seasoned leader with 30 years of senior level management experience in computing and telecommunications engineering, infrastructure and operations. His work history includes management of large computer and telecommunications departments for two major investor-owned utilities.
Daniel Morse (non-voting member)
Term: March 17, 2022- March 3, 2026
Background: Dan has 20+ years of industry experience. He was a nuclear operator for the United States Navy and is a NERC Certified System Operator (NCSO) and trainer of NCSOs. He completed his MS in Electrical Engineering from UC Riverside, BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University and is an Engineer in Training (EIT). He has served as vice president of American Power Dispatchers Association and is currently the vice chair of the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council System Operator Subcommittee. He is actively involved with the SERC System Operator Working Group (SOWG) and North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) Personnel Certification Guidance Committee (PCGC).