Question: Would you give us some background information – How long have you lived in Jackson, family, education, hobbies?

Answer: I have lived in Jackson since 2003, and worked here since 2000, first with Union Planters and currently with Commercial Bank and Trust since 2006.

I am originally from Humboldt and attended college at Jackson State, Union University and completed an MBA degree at the University of Memphis.

My wife is Carla and I have three daughters; Lacey who works at West Tennessee Bone and Joint Clinic, Caley who is a stay at home mother and Josey who is in fifth grade at Jackson Christian.

I have a three-year-old granddaughter, Presley Kate Lonon. I am an avid runner and golfer, and spend some of my time renovating houses.

Question: How long have you been serving on the board at Jackson Energy Authority, and when did you become chairman of the board?

Answer: I was appointed to the JEA Board in February 2013, replacing Mike McWherter, who resigned to accept a position with the TVA Board. I was re-appointed by the City Council for a second term in May 2017 – for a five year term ending June 30, 2022.

I was elected as Chair on June 22, 2017.

As a side note, I also served on the Humboldt Utility board for 10 years, nine of which I served in the role of Chairman, so I was fortunate to come into this role with some experience.

Question: What were your thoughts when you were asked to step into the role as chairman of the board at Jackson Energy Authority?

Answer: My first thought was that it would be an honor to serve as chairman of the board at JEA, mainly due to the solid group of directors that I was and would be serving with along with such a strong group of senior managers at JEA.

The foundation that Ken Marston and Howard Bond built in leading our board prior to my time has made it easy to conduct business in our meetings.

I also recognized that JEA has a very deep service culture which has been instilled over many years and continues to be highly promoted today.

Jackson is fortunate to have so many great associates working at JEA and we are blessed to have a strong leader in Jim Ferrell.

Question: We’re sure this next question is pretty broad, but what have you learned about Jackson Energy Authority since you became board chairman?

Answer: I’ve learned that providing utilities to a municipal client base is challenging. Not only must you deliver at near perfection, but you must do it in the most cost effective and efficient way possible while complying with multiple onerous laws and requirements. And even though keeping our costs low is a priority, maintaining a safe and well performing system is critical which is something that cannot be done without some expense.

Question: What is the most challenging part of being JEA’s chairman of the board?

Answer: Time. Most board members have no experience in working with public utilities, but we make decisions that require a certain understanding of the impacts it will have on the system financially as well as on the public in general.

Making time to review financial information, understand policies and discuss management recommendations is critical to being a productive board member.

Our board members are also required to complete education mandated by law which can be time consuming – but is very crucial.

Personally, I depend on the management team at JEA to provide me with the pros and cons of each item that we discuss on the agenda and use their knowledge to form my opinions.

I am grateful for their leadership and appreciate their willingness to answer my questions about issues we discuss.

Question: What challenges do you see facing JEA in the future?

Answer: People, technology, costs, rates, safety, regulations, competition.

The list could go on and it grows each day. However I do believe that our biggest challenge will be to provide safe and reliable services at the best possible rate to a growing area.

Question: Most people recognize you as community president of Commercial Bank and Trust Company in Jackson. Can you tell us about Commercial Bank and Trust?

Answer: Our bank is one of the oldest in Tennessee, originating in 1877.

We have been in Jackson since 2006 and have succeeded with our well known banking team.

Our bank is very active in the community through many organizations and events.

Known as the bank with “no teller lines,” we offer all the services of bigger banks as well as niche services such as free business deposit pickup daily, as well as banking accepting deposits using a client’s tablet or phone.

We have two convenient locations at 3093 North Highland Avenue and 79 Stonebridge Boulevard.

(PHOTO: Monte Jones)

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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