Jay Anderson is the new general manager of the Marblehead Municipal Light Department. Anderson started as technical operations manager/engineer and has been with the utility for four years. Previously, he worked for National Grid for 18 years. He has a B.S.E.E. from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and he is a life-long resident of Lynn, Mass. He is a third-generation electric company worker.
Anderson replaces Bob Jolly, who retired earlier this year, and he is finding the transition to GM manageable because he knows the projects and the direction in which the utility is planning to go.
"Bob did a lot of rebuilding of substation and distribution lines around town," said Anderson. "Four out of five substations have been rebuilt and the fifth is in the conceptual stage. So the major systems are in good shape."
Major projects he is facing include the total rehab of the building, a new computer network and a new radio system.
Anderson is a big proponent of public power. "Keeping it local and investing in the community is what it is all about," said Anderson. "You can see the difference during storm scenarios. The municipals are way ahead of the game in reliability."