EPB Leadership

David Wade

CEO

David Wade's career with EPB began in 1983 as a line helper. He quickly developed hands-on construction and leadership skills, moving from Senior Manager to Vice President and then to President and CEO in 2016. Wade led the company’s effort to design and build the country’s most automated electric power distribution system.

Using a 100% fiber optic network as the backbone for the Automated Grid, Wade was instrumental in launching EPB Fiber Optics, which delivers Gigabit speed Internet, television and telephone services. He considers talking to customers one of the most important, and favorite parts of his job. Wade holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Janet Rehberg

CEO-elect

Janet Rehberg was named EPB President and CEO-elect in September 2025. With more than two decades of engineering, operational and strategic leadership in the electric industry, she is focused on strengthening EPB’s mission to enhance quality of life and positioning Chattanooga for the future.

Rehberg originally joined EPB as President of the Strategic Initiatives business unit, where she led efforts to operationalize long-term strategies that advance Chattanooga’s leadership in next-generation energy and fiber optic technologies. During her tenure, she has helped expand the community’s national reputation for innovation through partnerships that brought commercially available quantum computing to Chattanooga while preparing the region for the evolving energy landscape.

Prior to EPB, Rehberg served as Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Engineering for Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Aledo, Texas, where she was responsible for formulating strategy and oversaw a wide range of departments including operational and engineering groups. She previously held leadership roles with American Electric Power, where she helped lead grid modernization initiatives to strengthen system reliability and support emerging technologies.

Rehberg earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Business Administration from Capital University. She serves on the board of the Hunter Museum of American Art and has contributed to numerous nonprofit, community and professional organizations.

Ryan Keel

President | Energy and Communications Business Unit

Ryan Keel is the President of Energy and Communications at EPB where he leads the company’s operation to deliver reliable energy and cutting-edge communications services to customers across EPB’s 600 square mile service area.

Since joining the organization in 1997, Ryan has played a critical role in the design and deployment of EPB’s Advanced Grid which is one of the most highly-automated power distribution systems in the country. The electric system leverages the same fiber optic network that delivers communications services, including high-speed internet up to 25 Gbps, which are available to every home and business in the community. This innovation has positioned EPB as a leader in smart grid technology and broadband connectivity.

Ryan is a native of Chattanooga and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He is a member and Past President of the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys playing many different sports as well as spending time with his wife, Keri, and their three children: Madison, Brenden, and Ethan.

Robert Long

President | Strategic Initiatives

As President of Strategic Initiatives, Robert Long leads EPB’s efforts to identify, develop and advance forward-looking initiatives that leverage EPB’s advanced energy, connectivity and quantum infrastructure to benefit local customers while opening new economic opportunities for the Chattanooga area.

With more than three decades of experience across industries that include energy, advanced manufacturing, consumer healthcare and emerging technologies, Long joined EPB from Novonix Limited, where he was chief financial officer of the publicly traded company focused on advanced battery materials. Before that, he was the entrepreneurial founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bridges Consumer Healthcare and Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Shaw Industries. Long previously held multiple leadership roles at Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, including Head of North America Region and Chief Executive Officer of Chattem, Inc.

Long earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A lifelong Chattanoogan, Long has been active in community and professional organizations, including serving on the board of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association at the national level, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Kaiser

CFO

Mike Kaiser joined EPB in 2005 and has served in progressively senior finance roles, helping guide the organization’s long-term financial strength and strategic growth. During his tenure, Kaiser has played a key role in strengthening EPB’s financial position. His leadership continues to support EPB’s ability to invest in infrastructure, innovation and community-focused initiatives. Prior to joining EPB, Kaiser held leadership positions in public accounting and manufacturing.

Kaiser is a Tennessee licensed Certified Public Accountant. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University. He serves on the Accounting Advisory Board at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has been a member of the Scholarship Committee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga since 2007.

Sandra Tilley

Senior Vice President | Brand Strategies

Sandra Tilley’s responsibilities include the long-term management and development of the EPB brand as it affects all aspects of our business, including marketing, the customer experience and new products. Tilley has over 30 years’ experience in marketing and advertising with an expertise at structuring and managing large, multi-location accounts for success at both the brand and customer activation levels. During this time, she has led marketing and advertising strategy for wildly diverse brands in the fast food, convenience store, wireless, cable, healthcare, public power, energy, alternative fuels, tourism and transportation industries, to name a few.

Prior to joining EPB in 2018, Tilley enjoyed a 20-year career as a Partner and Director of Account Service for The Johnson Group, an award-winning regional advertising agency located in Chattanooga.

Kade Abed

Vice President | Field Operations

Kade Abed leads EPB’s Electric System operations in the areas of Construction, Preventative Maintenance, and Vegetation. Abed began working at EPB in telecom sales starting in 2002 before moving into operations to work on the transition from the legacy fiber to the GPON network we have in place today. Abed also helped EPB construct a next-generation electric system using a 100% fiber optic network as its backbone.

He is a native of Chattanooga and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Prior to EPB, Abed spent 18 years in management with UPS and FedEx.

Rich Carpenter

Vice President | Communications and IT Operations

Rich Carpenter leads EPB’s Communications and IT Operations division, overseeing the technology used to provide communications services to EPB's customers, as well as the business systems utilized within the organization. Since joining EPB in 2005, Carpenter has made significant contributions to the organization, starting as a switch technician for EPB Telecom before transitioning into a leadership role in 2011 as Supervisor of Network Operations.

Carpenter particularly appreciates that working at EPB is a rare opportunity in the technology industry because our mission to enhance quality of life for our customers allows us to put people at the center of everything we do.

Carpenter holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Data Analytics from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix and an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force.

Katie Espeseth

Vice President | New Products

Katie Espeseth joined EPB in 2004 and serves as Vice President of New Products. Her responsibilities include the continued development of the fiber optics system, long term business planning and the development of new products and services. She was instrumental in the rollout of our fiber optics division and now leads our efforts in developing wholesale Broadband Services.

She serves as a Board Member of National Content and Technology Cooperative (NCTC). Espeseth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has more than 30 years of marketing and telecommunications experience including Mid-Atlantic Regional Controller with AT&T and marketing with the now former Bell South.

Evann Freeman

Vice President | Government & Community Relations

Evann Freeman joined EPB in 2019 and serves as Vice President, Government and Community Relations. His responsibilities include leading EPB’s governmental relations and economic development efforts through maintaining key relationships with government partners on the local, state, and national levels. Freeman has played a key role in many projects at EPB, including HCS EdConnect powered by EPB, a program that provides free internet to more than 28,000 people in our community.

With over a decade of experience in government relations, Freeman has focused his public policy efforts on community benefit and coalitions building. Prior to joining EPB, Evann held various roles with former U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, where he collaborated closely with local, state, and federal stakeholders. A proud Chattanooga native, Evann actively serves on multiple non-profit boards both locally and statewide.

Julie Hoover

Vice President | Human Resources

Julie Hoover serves as Vice President Human Resources at EPB, leading human capital strategies that advance the organization’s mission through a strong, engaged workforce. She brings more than 20 years of innovative human resources leadership across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare staffing, and high‑growth startups within private and publicly traded companies. Her background includes guiding HR functions in large operational settings, supporting geographically dispersed teams, and partnering with executive leadership to align talent initiatives with organizational objectives.

Hoover believes that fostering employee engagement is fundamental to ensuring consistent service delivery and enhancing the quality of life within our community. Her work has centered on culture transformation, employee development, and organizational effectiveness, with a focus on building scalable people practices that enable sustained performance while supporting employee well‑being and long‑term success.

Hoover earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an MBA from Bryan College, and is committed to fostering a culture of transparency, ownership, and growth within a high‑functioning workplace.

Jim Ingraham

Vice President | Strategic Research

Jim Ingraham is responsible for strategic business development projects, energy & communications market research, electric rate analysis and design, federal public policy research, and grant development.

After joining EPB in 2005, Ingraham led the development of a business plan to build a fiber-to-the-home network and modernize Automated Grid retail electric distribution system to reduce electric system operating cost, improve reliability, and offer high-speed Internet. In 2009 Ingraham led the EPB team that developed a grant application and was awarded $111 million as the American Recovery Act Automated Grid Investment Grant Program sponsored by the Department of Energy. This program accelerated the deployment of the fiber optic network and Automated Grid from five to three years.

J.Ed. Marston

Vice President | Strategic Communications

J.Ed. Marston leads EPB’s Strategic Communication efforts which include public relations, community engagement and corporate communications. Since joining EPB in 2014, he has played a key role in promoting EPB and Chattanooga with a particular focus on community benefit and economic development. Marston is particularly proud of contributing to the launch of HCS EdConnect powered by EPB, a national model for providing access to home-based, fiber optic broadband to every K-12 student in need who attends Hamilton County Schools along with their families.

Prior to joining EPB, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce for twelve years. He has also held positions in marketing, operations management and newspaper reporting in the greater Atlanta area. Marston holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing from Spring Hill College in Mobile. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute of Organizational Management.

Karen Thomas

Vice President | Customer Relations

Karen Thomas leads EPB's Customer Relations Division. Her responsibilities include serving customers by providing 24/7/365 customer care and utilizing new technologies to enhance EPB’s customer experience. Thomas’ efforts have led to EPB receiving award-winning acclaim from our customers.

She has been instrumental in rolling out SMS, Live Chat, social media and other platforms to help provide positive customer service experiences for the people we serve. Her work is more critical now as she uses changing technologies and industry trends to benefit our community.