Mark Kimbell of Gallatin Honored with 2025 Distinguished Service Award
Mark Kimbell, General Manager of Gallatin Department of Electricity (GDE), was selected to receive the 2025 Richard C. Crawford Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The award was presented on Tuesday, May 20, during TVPPA’s 79th Annual Conference in Biloxi, Miss.
Established in 1980 and renamed in 2004 to honor retiring TVPPA President and CEO Dick Crawford, the award honors any CEO or General Manager of a TVPPA member system who has been active in TVPPA, as well as other Valley electric utility activities, and meets these criteria:
- Exceptional leadership and service contributions to TVPPA and to consumer-owned power locally and in the Tennessee Valley region;
- Unusual devotion to duty;
- Recognition by the nominee’s peers;
- Contribution to the betterment of the community and the Tennessee Valley region.
Kimbell's passion for service is exhibited in all his roles in the community and the committees he has served on. He has served as president of his local Rotary Club, president of our Central District Manager’s Association, been on the TVPPA R&D committee, the chair of the Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association (TMEPA) E&O committee, president of the TMEPA board, serves on the TVPPA board, and launched a one of a kind leadership program, Valley Public Power Leadership Academy. This leadership program shows his true commitment to the public power model.
Wes Kelley, President and CEO of Huntsville Utilities and 2023 DSA recipient, presented Kimbell with TVPPA’s highest honor at this year's Annual Conference.
"He does not have the ability to be anything other than sincere and respectful in every relationship," said Kelley during the award ceremony. "Mark is the first to tell you when you do a good job, and also honest enough to let you know when an improvement is needed. After over 40 years in this industry, Mark still has a passion to serve each and every day and forge relationships throughout the Tennessee Valley."