KUA Elects Board Officers

During its monthly meeting held Wednesday, the Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors welcomed a returning board member and held its annual election of officers.

Rae Hemphill, a retired information technologist, took the oath of office to begin a new five-year term on the board which will expire Sept. 30, 2027. Hemphill was appointed to the board in 2017.

Manuel Ortega was elected board chairman. Ortega is a former law enforcement officer for Broward County, Florida and New Bedford, Massachusetts. A retired Navy captain, he holds criminal justice degrees from Western New England College in Massachusetts and Salvia Regina College in Rhode Island.

In addition, the board elected:

Vice Chairman: Rae Hemphill
Secretary: Jeanne Van Meter
Assistant Secretary: Ethel Urbina
Director: Raymond Sanchez

The five-member board sets policy direction for the utility. Specifically, the board approves annual budgets, sets rates and approves major purchases. The board also directs the president and general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the utility.