A Conversation with Lynne Tejeda

A Conversation with Lynne Tejeda

By Mark Howell

Lynne Tejeda is General Manager and CEO of Keys Energy Services. She also serves as the elected Secretary of the Florida Municipal Power Agency and is Vice Chair of the All-Requirements Project Executive Committee. She is active in the Florida Municipal Electric Association and is a past President of that association and currently she also serves on the Board of the Key West Chamber of Commerce. As General Manager and CEO of Keys Energy Services,  she also serves a the elected Secretary of the Florida Municipal Power Agency and Vice Chairman of the All-Requirements Project Executive Committee.

M.H.: Let’s start at the top, Lynne. Do you feel you may have reached the limit of your considerable responsibilities at this point in your life and career?

LT.:  Keys Energy Services [KEYS] purchases all of its power from FMPA, which is a joint action agency. Purchased power accounts for about 50 percent of our expenses, so it is critical to be fully engaged and active in the decision-making process at FMPA –– and serving in leadership roles in the various committees provides the opportunity to shape decisions for the good of the Agency and the good of KEYS. I would be honored to serve as chair of either the board of directors or the executive committee if asked in the future.

M.H.: You have been employed by the utility since 1989 in positions including Assistant General Manager and COO and you have just carried the company through the Keys’ umpteenth weather emergency. Have any of these jobs and emergencies ever frayed your nerves to the snapping point?

L.T.: Fortunately, I am blessed with a very calm disposition. Weather emergencies can create some pretty chaotic and challenging situations when you work for an electric utility, but I keep everything in the perspective that with time and a lot of work from dedicated employees, the emergency will pass and we will get everything back to normal for our customers and our community.

M.H.: You are also active in the Florida Municipal Electric Association and are a past President of the association as well as currently serving on the board of the Key West Chamber of Commerce. These are definitely “people” positions. What is your secret in successfully handling all kinds of people?

L.T.: I like and enjoy working with people.  I think what has worked for me is that I prefer to listen more than I speak.

M.H.: You hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Do you feel that this higher education been altogether indispensable to you in your current roles?

L.T.: Education is invaluable.  I think college level courses teach you how to research issues, how to write and communicate and how to meet deadlines. Education gives you that very important foundation, but I also believe the learning process never ends and that having mentors willing to share their experiences and co-workers who challenge you and collaborate becomes just as important as education at some point.

M.H.:  Q. Dealing with electricity is always dangerous and having responsibility for the safety of employees and the public is surely always sensitive.  What was –– or almost was or could have been –– your worst day in Hell in dealing with either or both or all of the above and and how has the facility you responded to ensure no repeat?

L.T.: A. August 30, 2012 was our worse day and a day I pray we never have to experience again. Joshua Yarbrough, one of our linemen, was electrocuted during a very routine service call. His death had a profound impact on every one of us at KEYS.  Prior to his death, safety was important –– but since then, everyone is much more aware.  Co-workers don’t let co-workers forget to use their safety equipment or be distracted. We named a building for Josh and every new lineman who comes to work at KEYS knows the story and why safety is something that has to be a top priority every second of every day.

M.H.: How has your marital and family life interfaced with your career and daily responsibilities at work?

L.T.: My family and career are very interlaced. My husband worked at KEYS for the first 25 years of my career before he retired two years ago – and my son probably felt like a KEYS employee at times having been here through the long hours of hurricanes, and all the events like tree giveaways.   I’m fortunate to have a family who is supportive of my career.

M.H.:  How do you relax at home?

L.T.: I love time with family – eating, hanging out.  I’m an avid reader. And I love all things with the water: whether pool time, boating or paddle boarding.

M.H.: Is there thing you’d have done differently in your life or career?

L.T.:  I’m very happy with both my life and career.   I have an awesome and supportive family. My time at Keys Energy Services has been great. I started working for then-City Electric System in 1989 – and some might think that being with one company for 27 years would be boring, but in this industry with this utility, every day is different and every day brings new challenges that keeps it interesting.

M.H.:  How looks the future for Keys Energy?

L.T.:   Keys Energy Services is in a very good place.  We have a positive and supportive Utility Board and amazingly talented and dedicated employees. That combination results in a utility that serves the community well with reliability, good customer service and reasonable rates.   We’ll continue to do our best –– we all live here and are vested in wanting the very best for Key West and the Lower Keys.

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