KERRVILLE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD
THE KPUB
Energy Hub | FALL 2023
KPUB Receives Top Workplace Award & National Community Service Award KPUB is committed to being a top public power provider by delivering exceptional customer service and reliability, maintaining a strong financial position and investing in our employees for the benefit of our entire community. In October 2023, KPUB was proudly named a Top Workplace among large employers by the San Antonio Express-News.
KPUB also received the American Public Power Association (APPA) Sue Kelly Community Service Award during APPA’s National Conference in Seattle, Washington, on June 20, 2023. Just five utilities received this award from APPA, which recognizes good neighbor activities demonstrating the utility’s and its employees’ commitment to the community. APPA is the voice of over 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned utilities nationwide. Some of KPUB’s service efforts recognized through this award are new programs the utility has developed over the last decade for community solar, Change for Charity bill payment assistance, employee volunteerism and scholarships. The service award accolades also highlighted KPUB’s ongoing support of our local nonprofits.
Photo: KPUB representatives (Board of Trustees Chair, Mark Cowden,
CEO & General Manager, Mike Wittler, & Director of Customer & Community Relations, Allison Bueché) accept a Community Service Award during APPA’s National Conference on June 20. They are pictured with Dave Osburn, APPA Awards Committee Chair and General Manager of Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority in Edmond, Oklahoma (L), & Tony Cannon, APPA Board of Directors Chair & General Manager/ CEO of Greenville Utilities Commission in North Carolina (R).
CEO
CORNER
Public Power
Comes Out on Top The first public power utility was established over 143 years ago in the farming community of Wabash, Indiana. That community’s decision to own its new electric system created a business model that still thrives today. Public power utilities focus on our customers, cost-based rates and reliable service. As a whole, public power utilities have lower rates than other utilities, and residential customers pay monthly bills that are less on average than customers of investor-owned utilities and cooperatives.* At KPUB, our rates remain lower than other utilities in our region and are some of the most competitive across the U.S. Another proud accomplishment of public power utilities is the reliable service we provide to our customers. Outside of major adverse events, such as storms, customers of public power utilities are likely to be without power for less time.* Keeping the lights on safely and reliably is a top priority at KPUB, and we’ve achieved national recognition for it. KPUB currently has a gold-level Reliable Public Power Provider designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for our reliable and safe electric service.
As a top workplace award winner, KPUB is extremely proud to be a public power utility company that puts our people first. Decisions about the operation of our utility are made locally by citizens in open public meetings. This allows us to be responsive to the needs of both our customers and employees. Public Power is a proven American tradition that comes out on top when compared to other utilities.
Mike Wittler
KPUB General Manager & CEO *Source, American Public Power Association (APPA)