Five Florida public power leaders received national awards from the American Public Power Association (APPA) on Tuesday for their commitment to the electric utility industry and their local communities.

The awards were presented during the APPA National Conference, which is being held in Orlando from June 20-23. The national event brings together the nation’s premier public power leaders to discuss policy changes and technological advancements that impact the energy industry. Those recognized include Paul McElroy (retired CEO of JEA in Jacksonville), Aaron Haderle (Manager of Transmission & Distribution Operations for Kissimmee Utility Authority), Carter Manucy (IT/OT & Cybersecurity Director for Florida Municipal Power Agency), as well as the City of Tallahassee and Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC).

McElroy received the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award, which recognizes managers who raise their organizations to new levels of excellence and inspire their employees and staff to improve processes, services and operations.

McElroy originally served 16 years with JEA, including six years as Chief Financial Officer and more than five years as CEO and Managing Director. Under his visionary leadership, JEA excelled in financial stability, customer service, employee satisfaction and engagement, as well as operational excellence. A major accomplishment during McElroy’s tenure was the greatest five-year increase nationally in J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores between 2012 and 2017, moving JEA from the fourth quartile to the first.

Following his retirement in April 2018, JEA experienced significant challenges and a failed privatization attempt. At the request of a newly appointed JEA board of directors, McElroy came out of retirement to provide leadership to JEA, its more than 2,000 employees and the Jacksonville community during a time of great need. He also led JEA through the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that ensured a safe, healthy workplace and inspired teamwork, vision and confidence for continued success.

Haderle and Manucy both received the Harold Kramer-John Preston Personal Service Award, which recognizes individuals for their exceptional service to APPA.

Haderle has participated in the APPA Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo for many years as both a member of the planning committee and a Master Judge. He regularly presents at APPA events and is a leader in APPA’s RP3 Review Panel, serving as the panel’s safety representative. Haderle also served on the planning committee for APPA’s “Light up the Navajo” project, which connected the homes of Navajo families to the electric grid.

Manucy has been active in APPA for more than 15 years and has helped public power utilities at the local, state and national levels maintain effective cybersecurity. He has served on many APPA committees and regularly participates in public power forums and conferences, including as a speaker and presenter. Manucy assisted APPA in creating the Joint Action Agency Cybersecurity Service Plan, Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management Guide, Public Power Cybersecurity Roadmap, and the Public Power Cyber Incident Response Playbook.

The City of Tallahassee Electric Utility received the E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award, which recognizes public power utilities with outstanding achievements. The utility was recognized for its customer-focused initiatives, many of which assisted customers with financial hardships during COVID-19. The City of Tallahassee was the first public power utility in Florida to voluntarily suspend customer disconnects due to the pandemic.

Additionally, OUC received an Energy Innovator Award, which honors utilities that have developed or applied creative, energy-efficient techniques and technologies to their work. OUC developed a nanogrid that addressed decarbonization of the grid, electrification, and decentralization.

The Florida public power award recipients were nominated by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) and OUC. The five Florida recipients were among 22 individuals and 11 utilities winning awards from APPA’s more than 2,000 public power utility members.

Proud of @CityofTLH which was the recipient of the @publicpowerorg E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award, which recognizes #PublicPower utilities with outstanding achievements. #FLPublicPower pic.twitter.com/E2MRm4pH3O

— Florida Public Power (@flpublicpower) June 22, 2021