Board Names New Reading Municipal Light General Manager

READING, MA — The Reading Municipal Light Department has a new general manager following a vote by the department’s Board of Commissioners last week, the department announced on Monday.

Gregory Phipps is taking on the role after several months spent as the department’s interim general manager following the retirement of former General Manager Coleen O’Brien earlier this year.

Phipps emerged as the candidate of choice for the Board of Commissioners from a field of two other finalists selected by a town General Manager Search Committee.

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to select Phipps on Thursday of last week.

Phipps will become Reading Municipal Light’s 15th general manager in a nearly 130-year history, as noted in the department’s announcement this week.

Based in Reading, the department also serves North Reading, Wilmington and parts of Lynnfield.

Beyond his recent job as interim general manager, Phipps previously served as Reading Municipal Light’s Director of Integrated Resources.

Speaking last week, Board of Commissioners members further credited Phipps for successes of late as interim general manager, including work to secure a new site for a new substation in Wilmington.

“This is an exciting time for the electric utility industry as we work to decarbonize our portfolio in accordance with Massachusetts climate legislation,” Phipps said this week. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a talented and dedicated RMLD team as we operate an efficient and reliable electric system, provide competitive rates, demonstrate excellent customer service, and trailblaze into the future of the electric utility industry.”