Executive Management Team
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Edward Bielarski, General Manager for Utilities
Edward Bielarski Jr. was appointed Gainesville Regional Utilities’ general manager effective June 22, 2015. Bielarski has more than 20 years of utility industry experience, including serving as general manager and chief financial officer of Pennsylvania-based independent power facility Panther Creek Partners from 1992-2001.
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Walter Banks, Chief Information Officer
Walter Banks has been planning, implementing and leading information technology solutions for public organizations for nearly 20 years. He most recently served as Director of Information Technologies for Frederick Country, Virginia, following more than a decade managing the IT needs of school districts in central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
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Thomas R. Brown, Chief Operating Officer
Thomas Brown has worked as an energy industry executive for 30 years, including most recently as the Vice President/Commercial Manager of Leidos-Plainfield Renewable Energy in Plainfield, Connecticut. He also served in executive management positions with Cogentrix, El Paso Merchant Energy and Ridgewood Power Corporation.
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Michelle Smith, Acting Chief Change Officer
Michelle Smith has practiced law in Gainesville for more than a decade. Founder of Balanced Life Wellness Consulting, she holds a Juris Doctorate degree and a Master of Exercise and Sports Science degree from the University of Florida.
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Claudia Rasnick, Chief Financial Officer
Claudia Rasnick has previously held the Controller position at GRU since January 2014 and the Acting Accounting and Finance Director since December 2016. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) and an MBA.
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Leadership Team
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Gary Baysinger
Energy Delivery Officer |
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Yvette Carter
Community and Government
Relations Officer |
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David Warm
Acting Communications Director |
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Anthony Cunningham
Water/Wastewater Officer |
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Cheryl McBride
Chief People Officer |
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David E. Owens
Compliance Officer |
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William J. Shepherd
Chief Customer Officer
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Dino De Leo
Energy Supply Officer |
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J. Lewis Walton
Chief Business Services Officer
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Governance
Gainesville Regional Utilities is governed by the Gainesville City Commission, in accordance with the City of Gainesville Charter Laws. As a Charter Officer of the City of Gainesville, the General Manager for Utilities serves at the will of the Commission.
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.
| Thomas R. Brown, Acting Chief Operating Officer Thomas Brown has worked as an energy industry executive for 30 years, including most recently as the Vice President/Commercial Manager of Leidos-Plainfield Renewable Energy in Plainfield, Connecticut. He also served in executive management positions with Cogentrix, El Paso Merchant Energy and Ridgewood Power Corporation. |
Dino De Leo
Acting Energy Supply Officer |