Timothy Bryant has been named the new CEO and general manager of Fayetteville Public Works Commission, the utility announced Friday at a special board meeting.
Bryant brings more than 25 years of utility experience to PWC and is the utility's 10th CEO, according to a news release announcing his hiring. His most recent role was as director of external affairs at Florida Power and Light Co., a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, the largest electric utility in the United States.
Bryant will begin work Aug. 14, PWC Chair Ronna Rowe Garrett confirmed in an interview with CityView.
The commission’s decision to appoint Bryant was unanimous and comes nearly a year after former CEO Elaina Ball resigned last August. Mick Noland has been interim CEO since September.
Garrett said Bryant checked all the boxes the search committee established at the onset of the hiring process, which PWC collaborated on with executive recruiting firm Polyhire.
“We’ve been very deliberate about the process, and we were looking for an energy executive who brings great leadership, acumen, understands the industry shifts and changes that are expected — not just in the next year, but over the next decade and more — and somebody who really has proven experience and leadership success,” Garrett said.
A native of Goldsboro, Bryant began his utility career in 1997 with power generation engineering roles with Black & Veatch Corp., the news release stated. Since 2008, Bryant has held numerous leadership roles at NextEra Energy, including managing three FPL energy centers. Notably, he has specialized in renewable energy programs, including pioneering the restoration of wind turbine fleets across the continent, the news release said.
Bryant is an engineer and a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He earned an MBA from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas, the release said.
Bryant is also a former commissioned officer in the Army National Guard, having served more than 12 years in Kansas and North Carolina. Garrett said he was an infantry officer.
According to Garrett, Bryant’s local ties, in addition to his industry experience, made him a stand-out candidate.
“But also, equally important for Tim joining our team in the community is he has connections to North Carolina,” Garrett said. “He was raised in rural North Carolina.”
Bryant expressed enthusiasm for returning to the Tar Heel State.
“My family and I are extremely excited to come back home to North Carolina and look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of PWC and the greater Fayetteville community,” he said in the news release.
Bryant also asserted his commitment to PWC customers in taking on the new leadership position and whatever challenges it may bring.
“As CEO, I intend to remain focused on delivering value for PWC’s customers and the community as we navigate the changing energy future and continue PWC’s history of delivering excellence in public power and water,” he said in the release.
Garrett said the commission is planning staff and community engagement meetings with Bryant as he transitions into the job of CEO. She is excited for Bryant to build ties with both the PWC team and the community at large.
“I fully expect him to make Fayetteville his home over the next several years and really plug into the community and our team,” Garrett said. “And we're excited for him to come.”
Local government reporter Evey Weisblat can be reached at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com.
