C-U’s Gibson Announces His Retirement

City Utilities of Springfield CEO Gary Gibson is announcing his retirement.

Gibson has been the President and CEO of City Utilities since 2019.

He says he will retire in February 2025.

Gibson began his career at C-U in 1990.

Here is the news release from Springfield City Utilities:

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Gary Gibson, President – CEO of City Utilities of Springfield, today announced his plan to retire in early 2025. Gibson has led City Utilities as its top executive since 2019 and his last day at the utility will be in February 2025.  During his tenure, City Utilities achieved many goals including completion of the Fiber Expansion Project making Springfield a Gigabit City, securing grant funding of over 60 million dollars for infrastructure improvements, the retirement of James River Power Station and completion of phase one of the Lake Springfield Plan study. Gibson also led the Utility through 3 historic winter storms. Throughout his tenure, Gibson has strongly focused on community involvement and economic development.

“It has been an honor to have worked with such an outstanding group of people and community. Leading the talented employees of City Utilities has been the most enjoyable and gratifying time of my professional career, which has made the decision to retire very difficult,” Gibson said. “Over the past 34 years, I have loved seeing how CU’s leadership and bold vision has been at the forefront of advancing the quality of life in our community in so many ways.”

“Garys leadership and vision for the utility and our community has been a guiding force that has led the utility to be a premiere public utility,” said Kristin Carter, Chair of the Board of Public Utilities. “Since 2019, our community and utility has weathered many storms and challenges that we came away from stronger because of his leadership.”

In 1990, as a student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Gibson joined City Utilities as an Engineering Co-op and has held numerous leadership roles at CU and with many utility industry organizations during his 34-year career.

In the coming months, the Board of Public Utilities will establish a committee and begin the search process for a new leader.