Jackson creates new post of electric utilities director

JACKSON, Mo. -- Don Schuette is Mr. Electricity in Jackson.

Schuette, the former superintendent of the electrical department for Lone Star Industries in Cape Girardeau, begins work today in the city's newly created position of director of electric utilities.

He will oversee operation of the city's electric utility and be in charge of purchasing power from other sources as well.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen created the position in a vote at its meeting Monday night.

The job will pay $52,000 per year.

The city's electrical system has been supervised by the public works director.

But city administrator Jim Roach said he wants to put the utility in the hands of someone who has the expertise and a degree in the field.

19 years with Lonestar

Schuette worked for Lonestar for 19 years and has a degree in industrial technology from Southeast Missouri State University.

"We felt this was so specialized that we needed that," Roach said. "We needed a higher level of expertise."

Hiring the 41-year-old Schuette will enable Jackson eventually to consolidate the positions of electrical superintendent and superintendent of the power plant.

Electrical superintendent Kenny Abernathy is about to retire, and power plant superintendent John King is expected to retire in a few years.

That will save the city money, Roach said, but it is not the reason the position was created.

Schuette will oversee more than 20 employees.

He is a Jackson resident, married with two children.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182