After 32 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Michigan electric cooperative family, Brian Burns, CEO of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op (PIE&G), will retire on May 5, 2017.

“Brian has been a tremendous asset to our team,” said Craig Borr, CEO of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association. “Over the years his integrity and insights have been invaluable. He will be greatly missed by members, directors and co-op employees alike.”

Brian began his journey with PIE&G in 1985 as an engineer. From there he was promoted to the manager of operations and engineering in 1993. In 2001, he stepped into his current role as president & CEO.

Among his proudest career achievements was helping bring natural gas to underserved rural homeowners in northeast Michigan. Only a handful of electric co-ops in the country offer this service and Brian acknowledges it was a challenge to get there. Today, PIEG’s natural gas business remains strong, serving nearly 10,000 homes and businesses.

“I am looking forward to retirement, but I already know there are things I will miss,” he said. Ranking high on the list of things he will miss are the PIE&G employees. “I am honored to have worked with this talented group; they’ve certainly made my job easier. Any success I’ve had in my career I attribute to them.”

So what are Brian’s plans for retirement?

“I’m going to ease into it,” he said. “None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so I plan to spend quality time with my son and focus on my spiritual bank account.”

He also plans to make good use of the motorcycle sitting in his garage. This summer he and his brother are going to take a motorcycle trip around Lake Superior.

Please join us in extending best wishes to Brian in his retirement!