During Council Presentations on October 26, Councilman Jon Burgess presented former HPS (Homestead Public Services) Energy Assistant Director Ken Konkol with FMEA Honorary Membership in recognition of his decades of service to public power. Earlier, he had worked to ensure that Konkol received honorary membership to the organization.
Konkol served the electrical utility industry for more than 45 years, including 17 years of service to the City of Homestead. He retired in April.
Councilman Burgess took a moment to tell those in attendance about Konkol’s career, including his time at HPS. “He started out at the plant and worked his way up to assistant director, and while we were searching for our director, for many years, he was our director,” said Councilman Burgess.
In a written announcement about Konkol’s honorary membership, the FMEA Board of Directors stated that “during his time with HPS, he helped to introduce numerous sensible and necessary upgrades to the utility infrastructure.”
“Ken, we appreciate all you did for us and your hard work and dedication. Not just for Homestead, but all of Florida,” said Councilman Burgess, continuing, “You brought many initiatives to the City and to the organization of FMEA throughout your time and were always there for them to lean on and give them guidance when they needed it as they moved forward to make public power a better thing for all of us.”
Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across Florida. FMEA was established in 1942 in response to WWII fuel shortages and is now the official meeting place for Florida’s public power community. Councilman Burgess noted, “The FMEA makes Homestead Power a stronger utility.”
Konkol thanked the Mayor, the Council, Barry Moline, executive director of FMEA and the FMEA board, and said, “You know, I spent one-third of my career here. I’ve got to say it was the hardest place I’ve ever worked, but also the most rewarding. The utility has a lot of good people and a lot of talent and the City as a whole is really moving forward. It’s changed a lot in the 17 years I’ve worked here.”
Concluding his presentation, Councilman Burgess said warmly to Konkol, “Thank you, sir, for all you’ve done for us.”
