SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Utility Board’s longtime general manager, Jeff Nelson, announced March 28 that he will retire on June 30, 2026, after nearly 30 years serving the community-owned water and electric utility.
Nelson began his career at SUB in 1996 as resource planning manager and later became director of that division. In 2012, following a nationwide search, SUB’s Board of Directors appointed him general manager.
Nelson has helped guide the utility through numerous challenges throughout his tenure – from the West Coast power crisis in the early 2000s to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most recently, he led the utility through a comprehensive internal and external review following the 2024 ice storm. The resulting after-action process has been praised for its transparency and rigor. “We know we will be tested again,” Nelson said, “and the detailed action items leave the utility well-positioned to weather future disturbances.”
“In our 75-year history, we’ve had only five general managers,” said SUB Board Chair David Willis, noting the stability of SUB’s leadership over the decades. “That’s rare in the utility industry, and our job as a Board is to continue that tradition of steady leadership by finding another remarkable person who can lead us into the future. Jeff’s early notice gives us the time we need to do this thoughtfully and thoroughly.”
Nelson will have spent three decades with SUB when his retirement date arrives.
“SUB has always been my priority,” he said. “But that means there’s a growing personal list of things I’d like to experience. I’m at a good place and looking forward to tackling that list in my next chapter – but there is still work to do with the SUB team.”
Nelson said he will help in the recruitment process. “I’m focused on running through the tape. I want a strong finish and a smooth transition.”
