DOVER, DE – Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK), announced today, two executive appointments for the Company’s Delmarva natural gas distribution operations and mid-Atlantic propane gas distribution operation. Shane E. Breakie has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities. Mr. Breakie will assume expanded responsibilities regarding the day-to-day activities of the Company’s natural gas distribution systems on the Delmarva Peninsula. Andrew R. Hesson has been promoted to Vice President of Sharp Energy, Inc., the Company’s mid-Atlantic propane distribution business unit. Bob Zola, President of Sharp Energy, will retire this month.
“Our employees are the foundation of the Company’s success,” said Jeffry M. Householder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. “Shane and Andy exemplify our core values and I am proud to promote them to these new leadership roles. Their strategic and innovative approaches have led to enhanced company performance and I have no doubt they will continue to inspire others to make a positive impact within the Company and in the community.”
In his previous role as Director of Energy Services for Chesapeake Utilities, Mr. Breakie was responsible for developing and directing natural gas expansion efforts on the Delmarva Peninsula. This included managing and directing the departments within the Energy Services area, acting as a business unit liaison with regulatory affairs, playing a key role in the preparation and execution of the unit’s strategic plan, implementing and renewing franchise agreements with communities in its service territory and developing and managing operating and capital budgets for his areas of responsibility. Mr. Breakie has 25 years of experience with the Company.
Mr. Breakie has actively pursued community involvement opportunities including the Greater Salisbury Committee and the Public Advisory Committee of the Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization. He has held community leadership roles including President of Chesapeake’s Emergency Energy Recipient Program/Sharing Program, Vice Chairman of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Energy Solutions Center and Past Treasurer of Connecting Generations.
Mr. Breakie earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Wilmington University.
Mr. Hesson has been promoted to Vice President of Sharp Energy and will assume the role of Sharp Energy’s business unit leader upon Mr. Zola’s retirement. Prior to his promotion, as Assistant Vice President of Sharp Energy, Mr. Hesson was responsible for setting customer rates, developing Sharp Energy’s capital and operating budgets, evaluating capital investments and reviewing acquisition opportunities. He has been successful in expanding the team and sustaining an energized culture that yielded a 35 percent increase in propane gallon sales, as well as an expansion of Sharp Energy’s service territories into Pennsylvania and the Western Shore of Maryland, generating a growth in customer base to 39,000. Mr. Hesson has 12 years of experience in the propane gas industry.
Mr. Hesson has led Sharp Energy’s support for various community-based activities, including breast cancer awareness programs, the AI DuPont childhood allergies benefit and the Walk for Autism. He has developed a service technician recruiting and mentoring program in conjunction with local technical schools to ensure a steady flow of service technicians to facilitate the Company’s future growth. These functions, along with others, were instrumental in Sharp Energy being honored for two consecutive years with Metropolitan Magazine’s “Best of Delmarva” award for the best gas company providing reliable service to customers on the Delmarva Peninsula. Prior to joining Sharp Energy, Mr. Hesson was Ohio Division Vice President with Inergy LLC. Mr. Hesson has a Bachelor of Science from California State University – Chico.
About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission, gathering and processing, and marketing; electricity generation and distribution; propane gas distribution; and other businesses. Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s businesses is available at www.chpk.com or through our IR App.
About Chesapeake Utilities
Chesapeake Utilities, the corporation’s Delmarva natural gas distribution operation, serves approximately 78,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Delaware and Maryland. Chesapeake’s Delaware division serves southern New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties. Chesapeake’s Maryland division operates on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Wicomico, Dorchester, Caroline, and Cecil Counties. Its subsidiary Sandpiper Energy operates a natural gas and propane distribution system in Worcester County. Chesapeake Utilities, headquartered in Dover, Delaware, operates the only public natural gas fueling station on the Delmarva Peninsula.
About Sharp Energy
Sharp Energy, headquartered in Georgetown, Delaware, distributes propane to approximately 39,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. With four rail facilities and over three million gallons of propane storage, Sharp Energy has established a solid supply portfolio. Sharp Energy is a proud partner of Alliance AutoGas, a national network of companies that have joined together to deliver a comprehensive alternative fueling solution including EPA-certified propane AutoGas vehicle conversions, on-site fueling infrastructure, fuel supply, safety and operational training, and ongoing technical support. To learn more about Sharp Energy, visit www.sharpenergy.com.
Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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For more information, contact:
Justin Mulcahy
Public Relations Manager
302.217.7011
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