Dave Sturgeon is appointed the City's Electric Utility Director effective December 1, 2022, when Duane Banks retires after thirty-two years of service to the community.
Dave has worked for the City of Russell since 2012 in the Electric Department as a power plant operator, lead mechanic, and, most recently, as Electric Production Superintendent. According to City Manager Jon Quinday, "Dave's knowledge of public power, the challenges facing the electric industry, and his familiarity with the community and the City's electric utility made him stand out from the Kansas, Texas, and California applicants pool."
Dave and his team of electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics provide service to more than 3,400 customers in a 50-square-mile service area with 146 miles of 3-phase primary and 5,875 power poles and manage two power plants capable of generating 26 megawatts of electricity. The City was able to generate its own electricity during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, while other communities faced rolling blackouts.
"Dave will lead a dedicated team of skilled electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics that will continue the utility’s work to improve system reliability and customer communication," said City Manager Jon Quinday.
The City Council authorized the electric utility to rebuild the electric distribution system to improve resilience and reliability. The project will begin with the East Residential circuits when materials arrive. Due to supply issues, some critical items are fifty-two weeks out. Engineering, design, materials acquisition, and construction to complete the distribution system's rebuild is an eight to ten-year project.
Dave grew up in Osborne, Kansas, and has lived in Russell since 2012. He is a United States Navy veteran serving as a Gas Turbine Systems Technician onboard the USS Lake Erie. Dave enjoys spending time with his three children, fiancé Michelle, and is an avid sports fan.