If you’ve ever met Dave Gustafson, you remember.

Not because he plays an important role in delivering reliable Jamestown Board of Public Utilities services to the greater Jamestown community, but because he has a way about him that allows you to get to know him. Whether it is being the electric and gas resource manager or he is taking you on a tour of the Steele Street power plant, “Gus” has a simple way of discussing electrical generation, which can be complex, that allows you to understand what is happening at the city-owned utility.

Gustafson’s is retiring from the BPU, where he has worked for the past 35 years. During his career, he has been the electric and gas resource manager, which is the role he has performed for the past 17 years, and he has been the power plant supervisor, a responsibility he had for 12 years.

Big projects at the BPU that Gustafson has been instrumental in being a part of includes installing the LM6000 GE natural gas turbine, which is the city’s main source of electrical generation; producing the original plans for the BPU’s energy-efficiency programs; dismantling the coal boilers, which are no longer used to generate electricity; and handling the wholesale energy market to manage customer cost.

Trying to have Gustafson discuss his achievements during the past three decades was a difficult task because all he wanted to do was talk about the team of BPU employees who make it all possible.

“It has been both challenging and reward to be part of the BPU team that provides such vital services to our community. The business seems to change constantly, things are always very busy and there’s never a ‘slow season,'” Gustafson said. “I have the greatest respect for our large group of employees who are on call 24/7, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays, to respond to emergencies. They are the unsung heroes of the BPU. Keeping the utility systems going all the time, not just electric, but water, sewer and district heat, is a big responsibility. That group does a tremendous job for our customers. On the behalf of the customers, and I’m one of them, I want to let out a big ‘Thank You.'”

Gustafson’s last day will be Thursday, Jan. 25, at the BPU. He said he will be spending more time being outdoors, which is something he enjoys to do with his wife, Colleen. He added that his wife and him like going on vacations to places like Las Vegas to enjoy the outdoors and not partaking in the indoor activities that lead most to the “Gambling capital of the world.”

“We don’t go to play games. We go to hike. It’s an awesome hiking area, around Vegas,” he said. “I’ll miss being part of this dedicate group, but I’m excited to have time to do other things. My wife, Colleen, and I love the outdoors so more time hiking or biking is in the works, maybe we’ll kayak too. I’ve also got a long list of projects to do around the house. I think I’ll be able to stay busy. In parting, I’d just like to thank the BPU for the opportunities given to me and my family. We love being a part of this community and look forward to continuing that for years to come.”