Why am I running?
Reliable, low-cost electricity and internet service are key to maintaining and growing a robust and prosperous community. I look forward to using my 40+ years of experience reducing costs and improving infrastructure for global companies to ensure that when we flip the switch, the lights come on and at a cost we can afford. We all love living in rural northern Michigan, and being good stewards of our air, water, and natural resources ensures they will be here for future generations to enjoy.
My wife's family has been in Kalkaska since the 1940s, and our daughter and her husband are raising our granddaughter here, so I want to do everything I can to make this the best possible place for her to grow up.
What do I want to accomplish?
- Reduce Rates: Negotiating good deals with suppliers is a key way to reduce costs. I've had extensive experience negotiating multi-million dollar deals for other energy suppliers, The Coca-Cola Company and many other large companies.
- Protect our community from Data Centers: I'm concerned about the ability of GLE to deliver sufficient electricity to our homes and businesses, the push to build mega-data centers is making that situation worse, not to mention water requirements and the noise they generate. At the very least, data centers should pay their own way and pay for the infrastructure (generation and transmission) they need.
- Sustainable Future: I love northern Michigan's lakes and forests, and want to ensure we continue to have those for generations to come.
Energy Industry Experience
Prior to retiring a couple of years ago, I ran my own telecommunications consulting company and provided assistance to multiple companies including Duke Energy (8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky), Aliant Energy (1 million customers in Wisconsin and Iowa) and Xcel Energy (3.7 million customers in eight states including Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado and Texas). Projects included simplifying network services, streamlining network architecture, eliminating unnecessary network connections, and renegotiating carrier contracts, which resulted in savings of 47%.
Other Qualifications
I have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Prior to working as an independent consultant, I was the Director of Global Telecommunications at The Coca-Cola Company, leading a team that managed the network architecture, design, procurement, and operations of multi-national voice, video, and data networks supporting 60,000 desktops and 900 locations in 91 countries.
I reduced travel expenses by approximately 10% and improved productivity by deploying reliable video conferencing and integrated scheduling. I reduced expenses for field sites over 20% by leading and executing a global expense management program.
Community Organizations
Currently, I'm the president of our road association, responsible for maintaining the private road in our neighborhood, and I volunteer to help the local garden club maintain the flower beds along the KART trail.
I'm also treasurer for the Irish Arts Foundation, a 501c3 corporation which promotes Irish traditional music and culture.
Employment History
Before Coca-Cola, I was the Senior Manager of Information Technology at Reebok International LTD, responsible for servers, voice, and data networks.
I've also worked at Ernst & Young as a Senior Manager in the Technology Services Practice. I started my career as an entry-level engineer at the Fort Worth Division of General Dynamics, at the F-16 jet fighter factory, and left as the Corporate Manager of Data Communications, supporting Detroit Tank in Warren, MI, Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT, and the Missile Systems Division in San Diego, CA.
Gary's insights into IT strategy for electric co-ops are invaluable. His expertise is exactly what we needed to navigate complex technological challenges.
Connect with Gary For GLE Board
Kalkaska, Michigan, United States
Contact us by email
gary@gary4gle.com
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