KPUB staff accept the 2025 Diamond-level Safety Award of Excellence at the APPA Engineering & Operations Conference. Pictured (from left) are Jon Beasley, Electric Cities of Georgia; Scott McKenzie; David Burley, KPUB Supervisor of Safety & Training; Larry Lee, KPUB Director of Operations; Travis Hoops, Omaha Public Power District; and Greg Labbe, American Public Power Association.
April 29, 2026—Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) has received the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) prestigious Safety Award of Excellence – Diamond Level, for its outstanding safety performance in 2025. The Diamond designation is the highest level of recognition in KPUB’s utility category.
This national recognition, earned by KPUB seven out of the last eight years, reflects the utility’s strong, ongoing commitment to maintaining a culture of safety while delivering reliable electric service to the community.
“Being recognized seven out of the last eight years speaks to the consistency of our safety culture,” said Mike Wittler, KPUB General Manager & CEO. “That kind of performance only happens because our employees take safety seriously every single day.”
More than 240 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards. Entrants are grouped by worker-hours and evaluated on incident-free records and the overall effectiveness of their safety programs and culture. The incidence rate is based on work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and total worker hours, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“In Public Power, safety excellence isn’t achieved by chance. It’s earned through unwavering discipline, strong leadership, and a culture where every team member looks out for one another,” said Jon Beasley, Chair of APPA’s Safety Committee. “These Safety Award recipients stand as proof that commitment and consistency save lives, strengthen communities, and set the benchmark for our entire industry.”
APPA has conducted the Safety Awards annually for more than 68 years and represents not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power communities nationwide.
###
About KPUB
The Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) was acquired by the City of Kerrville in 1987. KPUB serves approximately 24,500 customers throughout its 146-square-mile service area, including Kerrville, Center Point, Ingram, Hunt, and surrounding areas in Kerr County. KPUB staff accept the 2025 Diamond-level Safety Award of Excellence at the APPA Engineering & Operations Conference. Pictured (from left) are Jon Beasley, Electric Cities of Georgia; Scott McKenzie; David Burley, KPUB Supervisor of Safety & Training; Larry Lee, KPUB Director of Operations; Travis Hoops, Omaha Public Power District; and Greg Labbe, American Public Power Association.
KPUB is overseen by a five-member board of trustees who serve without compensation and who are responsible to the City of Kerrville for the management and control of the system. KPUB is a responsive and efficient, locally-owned provider of safe and reliable utility service at the lowest responsible price.
About APPA
The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. They represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 93,000 people they employ. The association advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Their members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power.