Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced Monday that he’s chosen Jarl Young to be the next CEO of Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW).
If approved by the Memphis City Council, Young will begin his tenure on March 19, taking over the position from Jerry Collins, whose retirement becomes effective at the end of this month.
Young, who currently serves as the general manager of customer service at a Pensacola utility, is a graduate of the Harvard Business School General Management Program.
He received a masters degree in business administration from the University of West Florida after earning an electrical engineering degree from the University of Florida.
Young was selected from a nationwide search of candidates. Strickland said his knowledge and experience in the industry, along with his record of “creating a culture around excellent customer service” is what attracted him to Young.
Last year, Young was named Young Community Leader of the Year by the Greater Pensacola Chamber, and this year he was given Pensacola’s 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. “Living the Dream” award.
“MLGW and the community of Memphis have a rich history and a bright future,” Young said. “I am blessed and eager to serve with the great team at MLGW as we move the company forward in delivering exceptional customer value.”
The chair of MLGW’s board of commissioners, Steven Wishnia will serve as interim president and CEO until March.
