Our Leadership

Mission

The purpose of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is to provide environmentally sound, efficient, cost effective electric, water, solid waste, wastewater and district heating utility services while actively encouraging the economic growth and development of its community.

Our leadership team is helping us achieve our mission through the rich and diverse experience, skills and backgrounds they bring to our utility.

David L. Leathers, General Manager

David Leathers, General Manager Opens in new windowAs General Manager at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities since March, 2008, David L. Leathers has full executive responsibility of the five-division, 150-employee public municipal utility and its $65 million annual budget.  Previously, he served as Interim General Manager and Deputy General Manager for the Electric Division and has been with the Utility since December 2005.  Leathers reports to a nine-member Board of Directors.

 In 2020, Leathers joined the American Public Power Association (APPA) Board of Directors and was named a recipient of the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award.  He serves as a member of the APPA CEO Climate Change and New Generation Task Force and as Third Vice President/Secretary of the New York Association of Public Power (NYAPP).  A member of the NYAPP and New York Power Authority Implementation Task Force, Leathers was honored by NYAPP as one of two primary leaders working with representatives from the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State to negotiate a new, long-term contract extension for NYPA hydropower. 

Michael Saar, Deputy General Manager for Water Resources

Michael Saar, Deputy General ManagerMichael V. Saar, Professional Engineer, assumed the position of Deputy General Manager (DGM) - Water Resources in 2010.  He is licensed in New York State in Water Treatment, Water Distribution and as a Professional Engineer.  He also holds a New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Certificate as a Supervisor and Inspector.  

Saar began work at the BPU in 1991, overseeing environmental compliance in the power plant.   He assumed engineering responsibilities for the Wastewater System when the City of Jamestown transferred system operations to the BPU.  

Saar administers the work of the BPU Water Division, including compliance with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Labor and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.