Reading, June 28, 2013:  At their board meeting on May 22, the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Coleen O’Brien to be the next RMLD general manager. She will be the utility’s 14th general manager in its 119-year history.  

She has accepted the position and signed an employment contract for three years, which was unanimously approved by the Board on June 26.

A proven utility manager with 32 years of diverse utility experience, Coleen comes to RMLD from the Danvers Municipal Light Plant, where she was hired as the Director of Engineering and Operations in 1995 and appointed as the Electric Utility Director in 1998.
  

A graduate of Northeastern University, Coleen holds a BS in Electrical Engineering.  Prior to her years with Danvers, Coleen progressed her career out of college from an Associate Engineer to a Project Engineer with Stone & Webster Engineering in Boston. She was then recruited by the largest utility in Virginia and North Carolina, Dominion Resources, as a Project Manager. 

"We had three extremely qualified candidates apply to head the RMLD, but Coleen’s work history and approach stood out," said Chairman of the RMLD Board of Commissioners John Stempeck.  "We look forward to working with Coleen and anticipate a smooth transition. The Board would also like to thank Interim General Manager Kevin Sullivan, who has done an excellent job."

Looking forward to serving as General Manager, Ms. O’Brien said, "I am excited to accept the challenge to lead RMLD and be a part of the successes that RMLD deserves as one of the best municipal utilities in Massachusetts.  I am committed to continuing a strong investment in the qualifications and safety of the RMLD employees, the operation of an efficient and reliable electric system, providing competitive rate structures, excellent customer service and the mindfulness of the future of energy." 

 
"We expect to have Coleen take the reins by July 15," said Stempeck.