ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Aug. 25, 2026) – After 43 years in the public power industry, Zeeland Board of Public Works General Manager Andrew Boatright will retire in September.
Boatright has served as Zeeland BPW’s general manager since 2019. The community will have an opportunity to celebrate his career and public service during a retirement open house on September 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Zeeland BPW Administrative Office and Customer Service Center, 350 W. Washington Ave.
Boatright began his public power career in 1983 with the City of Rensselaer in northwest Indiana. His career later included leadership positions with Richmond Power & Light in Indiana, the City of Westerville, Ohio, and Independence Power & Light in Missouri before he came to Zeeland.
During his seven years leading Zeeland BPW, Boatright oversaw efforts to strengthen the utility’s leadership team, improve system reliability, modernize infrastructure and plan for the community’s long-term electricity needs.
Under his leadership, Zeeland BPW maintained competitive electric rates while receiving national recognition for reliability, safety, operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Boatright also made leadership development and succession planning a priority, emphasizing coaching, accountability, trust and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
As the electric utility industry continues to change, Boatright helped guide Zeeland BPW through the development of an Integrated Resource Plan and stakeholder engagement process. The effort examined future generation and capacity needs, reliability, affordability, regulatory requirements and the eventual replacement of aging generating assets.
That planning included input from the BPW Board, Zeeland City Council, customers and the Michigan Public Power Agency.
Boatright also focused on the community aspect of public power, supporting programs and events including the Community Grant Program, Holiday Power Dollars, Zeeland Citizen’s Academy, Business & Industry Breakfast and Public Power Open House.
“What I’ve always loved about public power is that it’s not about shareholders, it’s about ‘community.’ Every decision we make comes back to the people who live here, and getting to serve the Zeeland community for the last seven years has been an incredible honor.” – Andrew Boatright
Boatright’s work has also extended beyond Zeeland. He recently served as board chair of the Michigan Public Power Agency and has held leadership positions on several boards and committees with the American Public Power Association. He also served as APPA board chair in 2016.
The public is invited to celebrate Boatright’s 43-year career and his contributions to Zeeland during the retirement open house on September 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Zeeland Board of Public Works Administrative Office and Customer Service Center, 350 W. Washington Ave. in Zeeland.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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