Bethapudi announced as general manager of electric utility
Daniel Bethapudi will be Georgetown’s new general manager for the electric utility. After a nationwide search, Bethapudi was selected from more than 50 applicants to serve in the new role. He will be taking on responsibilities currently held by long-time general manager Jim Briggs who is retiring Sept. 30.
Bethapudi currently serves as the assistant director for College Station Utilities, directing and managing transmission and substation operations and overseeing strategic planning and power supply functions. While in College Station, Bethapudi successfully restructured and replaced multiple energy contracts, resulting in average annual savings of approximately $15 million. He also developed and implemented a risk management framework and governance model to equip decision makers at all levels of the organization to properly assess risk related to energy.
“It was not easy to make the decision to leave College Station,” Bethapudi said. “I moved here to attend graduate school and ended up staying more than 15 years. But Georgetown offers a unique opportunity for me and my family. I look forward to addressing the current challenges facing the electric utility, ensuring this great institution remains an asset for the community for years to come.”
In Georgetown, Bethapudi will oversee Georgetown’s electric utility which serves nearly 27,000 customers. Reporting directly to the city manager, the new general manager will have responsibility for more than 75 employees and an annual operating budget of $77.4 million.
“Daniel is uniquely qualified to lead our electric utility through its current financial challenges. He has a track record of restructuring energy contracts, improving risk management practices, and achieving financial excellence,” City Manager David Morgan said. “We’re excited for Daniel to join the City of Georgetown team. He’s a natural fit for our organization, and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Prior to College Station, Bethapudi served in several roles at Navasota, Texas-based Mid-South Synergy, including the manager of engineering and information technology as well as interim chief operating officer. He concluded his time at Mid-South as the vice president and chief financial officer, directing the finance, engineering, information technology, and electric operations. During his time at Mid-South, Bethapudi oversaw the financial turnaround of the electric cooperative, implementing new strategic and financial planning processes, financial models, and technology.
Bethapudi has a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hyderabad in Hyderabad, India. He is also a project management professional, a certified energy manager, and a certified energy procurement professional. His first day at the City will be Oct. 7.
