Groton Utilities has a new leader;  Ron Gaudet has been named the Director of Utilities. The Old Lyme resident’s utility experience includes time as a U.S Navy officer driving and operating ships, as Senior Utilities Engineer at Pfizer in Groton and as Director of Facility Operations at the University of Connecticut. 

He succeeds Paul Yatcko, who left Groton Utilities this past winter after six-and-a-half years to accept a similar position for South Norwalk Electric and Water.

Gaudet assumes responsibility for operating a multi-million dollar municipally owned and operated electric and water distribution system, which serves the greater Groton and Bozrah areas. Groton Utilities Electric and Water Divisions plus its Bozrah Division had revenues of $85 million in fiscal 2015. 

"I am pleased and honored to have the opportunity to help to manage a highly respected municipal utility," Gaudet said. "I developed a high regard for GU while working at Pfizer. The challenge ahead is to maintain and enhance Groton Utilities’ reputation for providing low cost, reliable electric power and quality water."

"Like all industries in today’s world, technology is changing at a rapid rate," he stated. "As we proceed with our plans for the future, we intend to integrate those technologies into our system in support of our work force in order to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations."

"My goal is to give our employees the best tools possible so that they can maintain the highest level of service expected by our customers," Gaudet stated.

At Pfizer, he was responsible for mechanical maintenance projects on the cogeneration plant and its associated distribution equipment for all utilities – water, sewer, storm, electric distribution, steam and compressed air.

Gaudet left Pfizer to work for the University of Connecticut where he worked from 2005 to 2014. He was Utility and Energy Operations Manager for his first seven years and Director of Utilities and Energy services his last three years there. His responsibilities included a combined cogeneration and chiller plant, building energy management systems, the high/low voltage distribution system, fuel cells and energy, water distribution, and waste treatment systems. 

Gaudet gained start-up business experience as the General Manager of Connecticut Pharmaceutical Solutions from April 2014 to May 2015. 

He has a BSME and an MBA. He was a Commissioned Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1991.