Following the submission of and acceptance of the retirement from active employment of Margaret Felts as President in January, 2020, the Board approved the appointment of David W. James II to succeed her.

In reflecting on the appointment of Mr. James, outgoing President Margaret Felts said, “The leadership Mr. James (David) has demonstrated throughout his career and during his tenure at MCPU makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Company and its employees. He has diligently applied his past experience in various roles within the electric industry to his leadership at MCPU and continues to take advantage of training and educational opportunities as they are available.”

Mr. James background in electric service and years of experience include his work as an Inside Wireman Apprentice, Electric Foreman and General Manager of KCB Electric, owner of  DWJ Electric and numerous roles with MCPU since his employment in 2005.  He was named a Journeyman Lineman Leadman by the Company in 2010, Operations Supervisor in October, 2015, and VP of Operations in April 2017. 

James graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1992 and resides in Wabash County with his wife of 23 years, Ann (Kieffer) James and has two adult children, Levi James and Brianna James. 

In other management changes, the Board of Directors promoted Eric Bramlet to Executive Vice President- Director of Legal and Regulatory Compliance/Legal Counsel.  Mr. Bramlet will serve as a key advisor to the Company’s Management Team as well as to the Board of Directors.  He has been employed by Mt. Carmel Public Utility Co. since 1983.   

Mr. Bramlet graduated from University of Evansville in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Southern IL University Law School earning a Juris Doctor in 1986.  Mr. Bramlet joined the law firm Barnhard, Scriber and Koger and its successor, Koger and Bramlet, P.C., as well as Mt. Carmel Public Utility Co. in 1983 and has served continuously since that time.  Mr. Bramlet also serves on the Company Board of Directors.  Mr. Bramlet resides in Mt. Carmel with his wife (Patty).  He has two adult children, Erica Bramlet and Chase Bramlet.

Commenting on these Executive Management changes, CEO and Board Chairman Terry Bruce said,

“The Board of Directors is pleased to have put together a leadership team that includes Mr. James and Mr. Bramlet.  They join Patricia Spencer as Chief Financial Officer and Rachael Smith, Corporate Secretary in leading Mt. Carmel Public Utility Co. forward in providing safe and reliable services to the customers we serve.”