February 26, 2024
Starkville Utilities General Manager Edward Kemp was unanimously approved to serve on Seven States Power Corporation’s board of directors during its quarterly meeting on Feb. 6.
Seven States Power is an energy solutions cooperative that is owned and operated by Starkville Utilities and 152 other local power companies across seven states of the Tennessee Valley.
“Our board members play a vital role in supporting Seven States to provide services that enhance life their communities as we build the energy system of the future,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, president and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Edward Kemp’s utility leadership and customer focus align with our mission to empower our member-owners to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving energy marketplace.”
Seven States Power is governed by a 17-member board comprising municipal and cooperative members elected by each of 10 divisions and seven districts within the Tennessee Valley. Kemp is the Division 10 representative.
“As we look to the future, it’s critical that utility providers have the resources to effectively evaluate new technologies and environmentally conscious energy solutions,” said Kemp. “Serving on Seven States’ board is an honor and a unique opportunity to ensure that Starkville Utilities is on the leading edge of innovative energy strategies that can benefit our customers.”
Kemp became Starkville Utilities’ general manager in 2022 after serving as city engineer for 14 years. Under his leadership, the utility has completed several major capital improvement projects to modernize and enhance Starkville’s electric, water and wastewater infrastructure while carrying forward the utility’s community-minded approach to providing safe, reliable, low-cost utility services for customers.
Kemp holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Mississippi State University, where he has also served as an adjunct instructor for the College of Art, Architecture and Design’s Department of Building Construction Science.
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.