Joseph Belechak Named JEA CEO

2012-07-17

Jacksonville, FL - The JEA Board of Directors today named Joseph Belechak to fill the role of JEA Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective October 1, 2012. 

Belechak, former senior vice president of nuclear fuels at Westinghouse Electric Company in Pennsylvania, brings more than 30 years of experience in the energy and manufacturing industry arena. Belechak was a triple major at Carnegie Mellon University, with Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering, Industrial Management and Economics. He received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. 

“I feel confident about the decision made by the board today. This is a culmination of a very deliberate process to ensure a smooth transition in leadership,” said JEA Board Chairman Ashton Hudson. “Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be essential for meeting the ongoing challenges in the electric, water and sewer businesses.”

At the January 17, 2012 JEA board meeting, it was announced JEA Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Jim Dickenson had presented his intent to retire letter. That same month the search committee engaged, Mycoff, Fry and Prouse, a national executive search firm, to help identify appropriate candidates for the position. Dickenson will remain with JEA until February 1, 2013 to assist with the transition.

From all candidates considered, six were interviewed by the search committee last month. Two of the candidates were selected by the committee and presented to the full board for a final decision. 

JEA is the seventh-largest community-owned electric utility in the United States and one of the largest water and sewer utilities in the nation providing electric, water and sewer service to residents and businesses in northeast Florida.

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