Al Kerstiens, assistant general manager at Mt. Pleasant, TN PS since 2008, has been promoted to the utility’s top job. He assumed the duties of retiring General Manager Derek Church July 1 and will officially succeed Church Oct. 1.

Kerstiens earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1992. Prior to graduation, he worked as a co-op employee at Chattanooga, TN, EPB.

After graduation, Kerstiens joined Chattanooga EPB full time. He worked there in system planning until 1996, when he left for Sheffield, AL, Utilities.

After a dozen years at Sheffield, including the last 10 of those as engineering supervisor, Kerstiens moved to Mt. Pleasant. He started there as engineering supervisor but was promoted to assistant general manager shortly thereafter.

With his retirement, Church will close the book on a public-power career of more than 30 years, the vast majority of which he spent at Mt. Pleasant PS.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 32 years of service in the electric-utility business,” Church said. “It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to have served the community in this way.”