STARKVILLE — Terry Kemp said his proudest achievement during his tenure as Starkville Utilities Department general manager was the culmination of installing a new substation this past spring.
SUD partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority to build a new substation, bringing stronger energy to residents and a better power connection to TVA.
“It’s a project that we’ve been involved with for many years in the planning stage, but it really creates a strong reliability source well into the future,” Kemp said. “I think that’s one thing that I’m proud of, but working with my staff and the board (of aldermen) is something that has really prepared Starkville for the future.”
After 11 years as general manager of SUD, Kemp announced his retirement Friday. He will officially step down in March.
Working in the public utility sector for 47 years, Kemp said he is reminiscing on his time in Starkville with great appreciation and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for SUD.
After graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in electrical engineering, Kemp moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked with transmission planning and engineering for TVA. He worked several places for TVA, before settling in Starkville in the TVA district research office. He assumed the role of SUD general manager in December 2010 where he led efforts to modernize Starkville’s electrical distribution system and brought upgrades to water and sewer.
Under Kemp’s leadership, launched the Renew Principle, a performance-improvement initiative rooted in building stronger relationships with customers and the community, established strategic investments in Starkville Utilities’ Future FOCUS initiative to upgrade water and electric infrastructure and signed a TVA Green Invest agreement, the first in Mississippi, which will bring large-scale solar power to customers.
Kemp said he could not have carried out his plans without the help of his team as SUD, Mayors Parker Wiseman and Lynn Spruill, and the Starkville board of aldermen.
“I’ve really been blessed to work with a good supportive board but also with TVA and other regional and national organizations that through my years I’ve made contact with,” Kemp said. “It takes a team effort.”
He said he has a few projects planned for the coming months before retirement but will be engaged to help with the selection process of a new general manager to ensure a smooth transition.
“I think getting the ball rolling in the right format that says that we can do this is critical,” Kemp said. “We’re looking down the road. We’re not looking just to tomorrow. We’re taking a broader perspective to ensure that our community and our customers really have the very best service, not just for today, but for years ahead.”
The board of aldermen decided Friday to advertise for applications for Kemp’s replacement. Spruill said she hopes to find someone as qualified as Kemp, and he has been a huge asset to the city.
“I think that he has done an extraordinary job and has brought us into the future in ways that are incredibly important to our long-term health of infrastructure which is water, sewer and electricity,” Spruill said. “I think that he has positioned us for the next 75-100 years in terms of growth and development.”
Kemp said he will continue to be active in the Starkville community, hoping to engage and volunteer with other services in the city and is most looking forward to getting to spend more time with his grandchildren.
“I’ve really been blessed to serve here in Starkville,” Kemp said. “I look back over those 11 years, and I see the changes that have occurred, not just with Starkville Utilities or my efforts, but with the community as a whole.”
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