FROM THE CEO

Brittdye

CEO/GENERAL MANAGER BRITT DYE


Britt began his career at Fayetteville Public Utilities on June 14, 1977 as a Groundman. He worked his way up through the ranks over the years, holding the positions of Apprentice Lineman, Journeyman Lineman, Director of Substation and Metering, and Director of Engineering and Operations. Britt has served as CEO/General Manager since 2006.

Here are a collection of thoughts from Fayetteville Public Utilities' CEO/General Manager Britt Dye. Check back for regular updates on the happenings at FPU.

POWERFUL CONNECTIONS

Linking home, work and our community
Connections are powerful, and most of the time, they happen without us even noticing it.

Connections happen within the family. My wife and I look forward to spending time with our children and grandchildren. We enjoy gathering around the dinner table to talk about work and school. It is a pleasure to connect and make new memories as well as reminisce over old ones. It’s those everyday moments that hold great power.

Connections happen in the workplace. I am blessed to be able to drive to work every day to a job I love. I connect with coworkers through daily tasks and yearlong projects. I connect with customers we serve through phone calls, community events and day-to-day interactions. Working together towards the same goal of providing safe and reliable utilities holds great power.

Connections happen with utilities. We use phones to make calls and computers and laptops to get our work done.

 
We use lights throughout the day and appliances to make dinner. We gather around the television in our warm homes, and we enjoy a hot shower after a long day at work. Connections are found the utilities we use every day.

Connections happen at Fayetteville Public Utilities. Here at FPU, we connect substations to meters and computers to the internet, but that might not be the most important connections we make. We work hard to connect with our community to provide the best resources possible. We want to connect with you – our customers. We want to know your names and faces. We also want you to know our names and faces and know that we are just a call or visit away if you need any assistance.

This type of connection allows FPU to enhance every moment, change lives and improve our community. We are not just a utility; we are a link in the chain that makes our community thrive.
 
April 2025
 

ENHANCING EVERYDAY LIFE

Everyday moments can be ordinary like helping with homework or sharing our day around the dinner table, but those moments can also be extraordinary like opening a new business or welcoming a child. Whether the moments are routine or remarkable, Fayetteville Public Utilities plays an essential role in the everyday lives of the people and places we serve.

To us, utilities are more than keeping the lights on, the water flowing and the community connected. It is about providing the services that enable today’s priceless moments and tomorrow’s endless possibilities. We enhance every moment in ways you may not see, and it is our honor to carry out that mission every day.

We work hard to connect with those we serve. In 2024, we hosted events to celebrate our customers, constructed beds for children in need, assisted our neighbors following devastating hurricanes, provided funds to assist our local veterans and invested in our youth through the Student Utility Board,

 
Youth Leadership Summit, Washington Youth Tour, TAUD pre-apprenticeship program and job shadowing opportunities. We are committed to helping when there is a need and training the next generation of leaders.

We also work hard to improve utilities and provide reliable infrastructure. Last year, we built an EV charging station to support our community, continued the expansion of broadband services to underserved areas in our county, extended natural gas services and made tremendous improvements and upgrades to our water, wastewater and electric utilities. Our commitment to growth and development means a healthier community, more jobs and brighter futures.

All of us at FPU are working behind the scenes to supply the utilities that play a fundamental role in enhancing everyday life and making Fayetteville and Lincoln County a great place to live, work and raise a family. You can be confident that the team at FPU is always here to ensure you have the utilities you need for the moments that matter most.
 
February 2025
 

THE SEASON FOR GIVING

The holiday season is here. Families are busy decorating their homes, preparing large meals and purchasing gifts. For me, the holidays are focused on spending time with family and reflecting on the past. I fondly remember the anticipation of receiving gifts when I was a child, but as I have gotten older, I have found that it is far greater to give than to receive.

As your local utility provider, Fayetteville Public Utilities realizes that the most meaningful gifts are those we give to our community each and every day. Through our efforts to provide customers with safe and reliable utilities, promote economic development and support our local schools, FPU is constantly focused on giving and making the area we serve a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Giving back to those we serve defines who we are as a utility provider. Our employees and the members of our board call Fayetteville and Lincoln County home, and we deeply care about our families, neighbors and friends who live here, too.

It is incredible to see the passion that our employees have for their neighbors.
Their commitment to making life better is clear in their dedication to providing our customers with dependable electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecom services.

Our employees also give back to the community by serving immediate needs through opportunities such as our annual Day of Service. This year, employees hung up their hard hats and climbing gear to serve others by assembling 50 beds for local children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Hands of Mercy Outreach Center.

During this special season – and the rest of the year – you can be confident that the team at FPU is here for our customers and our community. We are committed to ensuring that those we serve have the utilities they need for the moments that matter most.

The employees of FPU join me in wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season and many blessings in the coming New Year.
 
December 2024
 

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION

At Fayetteville Public Utilities, we believe that investing in our youth is important for the continued growth and strength of our community. By offering a range of youth programs, we support the educational and leadership development of the young people within our service area.

Our youth programs are designed to provide valuable experiences that foster leadership, cooperation and career readiness. In June, three high school seniors from Fayetteville and Lincoln County participated in the 2024 Washington Youth Tour as delegates of Fayetteville Public Utilities. This annual event provides young leaders with an opportunity to explore the nation’s capital, learn about government and develop their leadership skills.

Beyond the Washington Youth Tour, we provide several other programs designed to help students learn through experience. The Youth Leadership Summit is an annual event in Nashville that gives high school students the opportunity to learn about teamwork and leadership.

FPU also participates in the 4-H Electric Camp each year on the campus of the University of Tennessee. This event gives middle school students the chance to learn about science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on activities. In addition, FPU maintains a range of in-classroom programs designed to teach students about electrical and natural gas safety.
Since 2010, FPU has sponsored a Student Utility Board (SUB). A total of 15 groups of high school seniors have served on the student board, meeting once a month throughout the school year to gain valuable knowledge about FPU’s electric, water, wastewater, natural gas and telecom services. Each May, FPU awards a student board member a $1,000 scholarship to help offset the cost of higher education. The scholarship is awarded based on points earned through the student’s community and board involvement as well as the written response submitted on the scholarship application.

Investing in local youth has far-reaching benefits. FPU’s Job Shadowing Program helps students formulate and refine their career plans by gaining work-based learning experiences in their fields of interest.

FPU’s youth programs not only help students achieve their educational goals but also strengthen our community by fostering a new generation of skilled and informed citizens. By supporting education and leadership development, FPU ensures a brighter future for everyone in our service area.
 
October 2024
 

SAFE, EFFICIENT PLAN FOR SERVICE RESTORATION

At Fayetteville Public Utilities, we do our best to avoid them, but there’s no way around it; service disruptions happen.
Thanks to the great work the FPU team does each day to strengthen our system, most of our customers experience rare and brief outages. Unfortunately, when strong storms roll through, they sometimes leave behind damage.

When utilities go out, how do FPU crews know where to start working? How do you know if your outage has been reported? It all starts with a safe, efficient plan for service restoration.

When it’s safe for our crews to begin the restoration process, they assess the damage and develop a plan of action. Usually, the plan will focus on restoring services to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible. This process typically begins with repairs to main distribution lines that service many homes and businesses. After those repairs are made, crews work on smaller lines that feed neighborhoods and streets. Finally, service lines to individual homes or businesses are repaired.

We can’t control the weather, but we can prepare for it.
 
FPU keeps a supply of poles, transformers and other equipment on hand, so we can quickly get to work in the event of an outage. When widespread outages occur, multiple crews will be out in the field simultaneously working to repair damage at multiple locations. We also coordinate with other utilities to bring in additional crews when necessary.

If you experience a disruption in service, don’t assume a neighbor reported it. It’s always best to report the outage yourself, and we make it easy to do. The quickest way to report an outage is through our SmartHub app. You can also call our dispatch department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 433-1522.

If you have a medical condition that requires electrical equipment, please let us know, and always have a backup plan in place. This plan could include having extra medical supplies on hand or moving to an alternate location until services are restored.

Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but as a customer of FPU, you can feel confident knowing we’re standing by, ready to restore services as quickly and safely as possible.
 
August 2024
 
Move over logo

SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER, SAVE LIVES

At Fayetteville Public Utilities, ensuring the safety of the public and our crews is critical. Utilities are important, but they can also be dangerous. Providing our employees with the training, equipment and resources needed to safely perform their jobs is among our highest priorities, but despite our best efforts, one of the greatest threats to our safety is something we cannot control. You can help with this critical issue and protect our workers by moving over when driving past roadside utility crews.

In Tennessee, it is not just a recommendation but a state law to move over when passing utility crews working on the side of the road. In 2011, utility companies from across the state worked to have their crews included in Tennessee’s existing Move Over law. This law is in place to protect the lives of those who maintain and repair our utility infrastructure. Beyond being a legal requirement, it is also a matter of common courtesy.

Unfortunately, roadside utility crews continue to be at risk of injury or death due to passing vehicles. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 workers, on average, are killed each year in the United States from being struck by passing vehicles while working on or near roadways
These numbers represent husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters whose lives have been tragically cut short. In addition, many more utility workers are injured every year in similar incidents. Aside from the lifelong physical and mental impacts, the families and loved ones of those injured can also suffer.

We all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those who work to provide essential services, such as electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, phone and internet. Moving over when passing a roadside utility crew is a simple yet powerful way to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

The next time you see utility crews working on the side of the road, please remember to move over if it is safe to do so. Slow down, pay attention and give them the space they need to work safely. Let’s work together to protect utility workers and ensure crews return home safely to their families at the end of the day.
 
June 2024
 

UTILITY CAREERS OFFER A SENSE OF PURPOSE ROOTED IN SERVICE

We have all asked young children what they want to be when they grow up, and they typically name many extraordinary careers. However, they don’t often mention careers in the utility industry. At Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU), we hope to change that.

FPU provides critical services to our community, and we offer diverse career paths that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether your professional skills include engineering, accounting or communications, there’s a role for you in the utility industry.

FPU’s skilled utility workers build, maintain and repair infrastructure, ensuring the delivery of safe and reliable electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, and telecom services to our customers’ homes and businesses. Our engineers design and optimize systems, while professionals in accounting and administration ensure the smooth operation of the business. Communication specialists build connections between the utility and the customers we serve.

FPU employees have a deep sense of passion for what they do and share a commitment to serving this community.
We take pride in our contributions to the well-being of our friends and neighbors. The work we do matters, and it impacts everyone in our community.

Employees of FPU love to share what they do, and they welcome opportunities to visit classrooms, attend job fairs and speak at career days to help inspire the next generation to explore utility careers. The hope is when we ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up, a career at FPU will be included in their list of goals for the future.

As the industry advances, the need for skilled professionals in emerging fields will grow. If you are seeking a career that promises job stability and a sense of purpose rooted in service, a utility profession offers vast possibilities. Whether you are drawn to the technical intricacies of utility distribution or the community-focused aspects of outreach, FPU provides a fulfilling environment for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.

To learn about current job opportunities at FPU, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.


 
April 2024

SUPPLYING OUR COMMUNITY WITH RELIABLE UTILITIES

Our team at Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) works hard to avoid utility disruptions, but, despite our best efforts, they do occur from time to time. Mother Nature is the most common cause of utility outages.

Wind, lightning, trees, animals and extreme temperatures can all result in trouble when it comes to utilities. At FPU, we can’t control the weather or wildlife, but we can maintain vegetation and make improvements to our infrastructure.

Over the past year, we have expanded our tree trimming program to help keep vegetation away from utility lines. The addition of new equipment has allowed our crews to make substantial progress in routine maintenance. Their efforts have drastically lowered the number of electric and internet outages caused by overgrown and fallen trees.

Our electric department takes the responsibility of keeping the lights on very seriously. We know that power interruptions, even momentary ones, can create issues for your family, and that is why we are continuously looking for ways to improve our system by upgrading equipment and expanding our infrastructure. The electric grid is a complicated system that needs constant attention and maintenance, and our electric crews work diligently to ensure the continuation of safe and reliable service for future generations.

Our water and wastewater crews continue to make improvements to our existing infrastructure by replacing older equipment. They are also performing upgrades that will increase our capacity to accommodate future growth and development and ensure the flow of safe, quality drinking water for years to come.
 
Our natural gas department monitors, inspects and maintains FPU’s natural gas facilities, equipment and pipelines. FPU demonstrates our commitment to safety and our willingness to go above and beyond by conducting pipeline inspections on a four-year rotation instead of the required five-year rotation. These actions help ensure that our natural gas system runs smoothly without failures.

This past year, our telecommunications department received a grant to expand broadband to certain areas in our county not served by any internet provider. Our technicians and contractors have earnestly worked to bring reliable, high-speed internet to these rural customers, and FPU will continue to seek ways to fund additional broadband projects in our county.

Our employees are dedicated to the work they do each and every day. I am honored to work alongside people who take such great pride in what they do. Our crews, dispatchers, engineers and support staff work tirelessly to make sure your lights come on with the flip of a switch and your water flows with the turn of a handle.

As we set goals for the new year, as always, our focus is on our customers. We strive to provide you with the critical services you and your family will need now as well as in the future. As you go about your daily routines, rest assured that FPU is providing the constant attention and maintenance required to supply our community with reliable utilities.


 
February 2024