Barry Kennedy is general manager of TECO Peoples Gas on Philips Highway. A sixth-generation Floridian, he is responsible for the company’s north region, including Jacksonville, Ocala and Panama City.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY?
“I’ve been there 13 years. I started out as a propane manager, in Orlando.”
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY. OR, IN YOUR BUSINESS, IS THERE SUCH A THING?
“Every two or three weeks, I spend a couple of days in Ocala or Panama City. The rest of the time, I’m here in Jacksonville. Basically the whole company reports to me, with the exception of the marketing people, who are in a different department. In addition to an operations manager and a customer service manager, we also have a safety person, a human resources person, and community development people in each location.”
HOW MANY EMPLOYEES?
“We have 110 employees. They are responsible for installing and maintaining gas lines, reading meters and so forth. We have a customer service center, or call center, in Ocala, where people can call to ask their various questions.”
BEST PART OF THE JOB?
“Dealing with the people. The customer contact is definitely my favorite part.”
HOBBIES?
“Golf. I play all over the northern part of the state. I also like to fish. I grew up salt water fishing, but lately I’ve been doing more bass fishing. I also have a motorcycle, and my wife Judy and I like to ride that away from town.”
GOING NATIVE
“Judy is also a Florida native. She was born in Orlando.”
TEACHER’S PET
“Judy teaches science at the Pace Center for Girls. I recently signed up as a volunteer. I’ll be able to go along on field trips as well as share some time in the classroom with her — the real reason I signed up.”
A BROOD
“Between us we have five children. They’re 23, 24, and 26. Three are 24. Two are twins.”
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
“First Street Grille in Jacksonville Beach. We like to go sit outside and have a drink in the late afternoon when it’s not too hot, and then go inside for dinner.”