Palmer takes over electrical duties

Mike Palmer was named City of Sidney’s electrical superintendent effective Monday, May 6 following the retirement of Rod Fries. 

Fries retired Friday after 29 years of service to the City. 

Palmer will manage the nine man staff of the electric department and the power plant operations. He is a 15 year veteran of the Electric Department and has worked for the City of Sidney for 17 years. Palmer is a Sidney native and Sidney High graduate.  

He was the first city electrical department employee to complete all phases of the Merchants’  advance job training and safety program and the Nebraska Department of Labor registered line worker apprenticeship program.  The past several years he has been the Crew Chief for the Electric Department and was a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Cheyenne County program.

According to City Manager Gary Person, who made the appointment, “Mike has the work ethic, experience, training and leadership qualities that have earned him the opportunity to lead the Electric Department. In his previous role as crew chief, he had assumed some of the administrative responsibilities over the past few years so it will be a smooth transition into the superintendent’s role.” 

Person added “We are fortunate to have an outstanding department with many skilled and dedicated employees and a great foreman in Greg Jenkins. Everyone is excited about the growth plans for Sidney and we have some challenges ahead of all of our city departments to keep pace with providing the proper planning and services that are needed. Having good experienced employees give us the confidence to meet those challenges.”

 Palmer is a Sidney Volunteer Fireman and has also been in leadership roles with the Gold Rush Days Committee and Toastmaster’s in additional to being a youth t-ball coach and an alumnus of the Cheyenne County Leadership program.  Person said the City appreciates the contributions its employees give to the community as volunteers, which enhances their leadership training opportunities and service to our citizens.