New CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities discusses goals, future plans
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- On his first official day as the new chief executive officer of Colorado Springs Utilities, Travas Deal spoke with the media about what his goals are and what the utility's future plans will be under his leadership.
Deal discussed his strategy regarding utility rates and water supply, the next steps toward repurposing the former Drake Power Plant site after it was decommissioned last September, and how he'll address previous complaints about a negative workplace culture that caused employee turnover.
"I understand the frustration that ratepayers have about fluctuating utility rates," he said. "There's only so much we can do to control them, especially since we don't generate all of our power. We purchase some of it. But we're going to continue to focus on that and look for creative ways to help mitigate those impacts to our customers, through some of these things we're continuing to grow upon."
Deal -- who has been with Utilities since 2017 -- was named CEO during Wednesday's meeting of the Utilities Board after previously serving as a field services manager, chief operations officer, and interim CEO when former head Aram Benyamin resigned at the end of last December.
The board selected Deal over another in-house candidate, Lisa Barbato, the planning and projects officer for chief systems; both candidates advanced from a field of 100 applicants.
He tried to reassure citizens who worry about having enough water for future growth, development and annexations.
"I just want to make sure everybody feels good that we are in a good place," Deal said. "We are continuing to monitor that and we are doing things with a very responsible approach when it comes to water."
The new CEO also explained that the future of the Drake property may not be determined for another five years.
"We're going to begin dismantling it in June," he said. "That will be a yearlong process. Then, we'll have to get approval from state and federal officials on any kind of environmental cleanup required. After that, we'll start a public process to decide the best use for the property."
Deal said that an electric substation will continue to operate on the property, and several natural gas-fueled electric generators installed last year will remain in use until 2027.
Finally, Deal remarked about steps he has taken and will take, in response to employee complaints expressed a year ago regarding the in-house culture.
"We want every employee to feel valued," he insisted. "Culture is something we have to continually assess, evaluate and communicate to our employees. We haven't seen high turnover over the last few months, so I think things are stabilizing. COVID challenged our culture and we continue to learn from that. We've really made an effort to communicate though town halls and group meetings. I just did a video this morning for employees about this."
City Councilman Wayne Willams, who also is president of the board, said that Deal earned the job because he has something that most candidates didn't -- experience in electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater, which are the four services provided by the utility.
Deal will be sworn in during a ceremony Friday; his salary will be $480,000.
