By resolution, the Lincoln City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Emeka Anyanwu as the new CEO of Lincoln Electric System. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird also previously submitted an Executive Order confirming the selection. This was the final step in the hiring process. Emeka’s first day at LES will be Jan. 2, 2024.
Anyanwu currently serves as Energy Innovation & Resources officer at Seattle City Light, one of the nation’s largest community-owned, not-for-profit utilities. Earlier in his career, Anyanwu spent 16 years at Kansas City Power & Light (now Evergy) in various roles in leadership and transmission and distribution operations. He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University and a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst University.
A national search was conducted to find the next LES CEO over the summer. Four candidates advanced to the final stage in the process and were interviewed by the LES Board in mid-September. LES also hosted public in-person and virtual sessions with each candidate.
Anyanwu will replace outgoing LES CEO Kevin Wailes, who is retiring after more than 13 years of leading the publicly owned electric utility.
