Shane Breakie Reflects on 33 Years of Growth, Leadership and Service

When Shane Breakie joined Chesapeake Utilities in January 1993, he wasn’t pursuing a lifelong career. He was a recent University of Delaware graduate with degrees in accounting and finance, looking for his first professional opportunity near his hometown of Dover.

“I knew nothing about the Company,” Shane recalled. “I was a recent graduate with an accounting degree, and I just happened to see an ad for some company called Chesapeake Utilities looking for an entry-level accountant in Dover.”

What began as an entry-level accounting role became a 33-year career marked by continuous growth, new challenges and a commitment to helping Chesapeake Utilities expand and thrive.

Embracing New Opportunities

Throughout his career, Shane rarely stayed in one lane for long. After starting in accounting, he moved into customer service, where he advanced from customer service manager to director of consumer services. He later assumed leadership of operations, overseeing field operations, construction and service activities, before taking on broader enterprise leadership responsibilities. Over the years, he served in a variety of roles, including director of energy services, assistant vice president and vice president, building a broad, cross-functional understanding of the business.

Those experiences gave Shane the opportunity to work closely with employees across all departments and to see firsthand how the Company delivers value to customers and communities.

“What I’ve always found most valuable is engaging with people, learning from them and helping wherever I can,” he said.

On Aug. 24, dozens of teammates, former colleagues and friends helped Shane “swing into retirement” during a reception at the Southern Delaware Golf Club in Milford, Delaware. 

Helping Fuel Growth

Among Shane’s proudest accomplishments was helping lead the Company’s natural gas expansion efforts across its service territories. Working with communities, regulators, customers and internal teams, he helped advance projects that positioned Chesapeake Utilities for long-term growth while maintaining reliable and affordable service.

Although Shane is proud of the expansion projects he helped advance, he considers the development of people an equally important part of his legacy. He takes pride in employees he hired, encouraged or mentored who went on to become leaders within the Company and elsewhere.

Since 2019, Shane has served as Vice President of Sustainability and Organic Growth, leading initiatives designed to expand the Company’s footprint while supporting environmental stewardship efforts. In 2022, he was appointed Chesapeake Utilities’ first environmental sustainability officer, helping grow the Company organically while guiding projects that reduce emissions and support customers’ sustainability goals. His leadership also contributed to strategic growth initiatives, including the integration of Elkton Gas as well as Eastern Shore Gas (which became Sandpiper Energy) and efforts supporting expansion into new markets.

Reflecting on Chesapeake Utilities’ success over the years, Shane is quick to credit the teams that worked together to make growth possible.

“We’ve been one of the fastest-growing utilities out there,” he said. “It’s because of the team effort that we had behind all those initiatives and the great story we have to tell about our Company and our industry.”

Advice for the Next Generation

As Shane prepares for retirement, the future of Chesapeake Utilities feels particularly close to home. His daughter, Nadia Breakie, recently joined the Company as a creative services specialist after first gaining experience through an internship, continuing the family’s Chesapeake Utilities connection.

His advice to those beginning their careers at Chesapeake Utilities is simple: get involved, stay curious, build relationships and find your passion.

“You’ve got to get yourself out and see what other people do,” Shane said. “Be engaged with others and other departments. There is so much exciting stuff happening, and you’re not going to get it in the fishbowl of your own environment.”

On Aug. 24, dozens of teammates, former colleagues and friends helped Shane “swing into retirement” during a reception at the Southern Delaware Golf Club in Milford, Delaware. His family (from left, Aidan, Nadia and Sue) joined him at the celebration.

He believes the opportunities available to today’s employees are virtually limitless for those willing to learn, connect and embrace new experiences.

Looking Ahead

While many people view retirement as the end of a career, Shane sees it differently. He looks forward to spending more time with family, enjoying new experiences and finding meaningful ways to give back to the community.

Beyond travel and family, Shane plans to remain actively involved in the community through several nonprofit, economic development and industry organizations. Having served on numerous boards throughout his career, he intends to continue supporting many of those efforts and looks forward to finding new ways to strengthen his communities.

“I don’t really think of it as retirement,” he said. “I see it as a natural transition into a stage where I can spend even more time on the things I’ve always enjoyed, including family, travel, mentoring others and giving back to the community.”

Shane at Silver Lake: Shane takes a break with his coworkers in the Board Room at the old Silver Lake office in Dover.

After more than three decades of leadership, service and dedication, Shane leaves behind a legacy of growth, collaboration and commitment to others. As he begins this well-earned next chapter, we thank him for his many contributions to Chesapeake Utilities and wish him and his family happiness, fulfillment and many rewarding opportunities to give back in the years ahead.