Movers and Shakers: Mike Gore to Replace Retiring Dan Gray as Manatee County Utilities Director

BRADENTON – Mike Gore, Manatee’s longtime solid waste division manager, has been selected among a field of 100 applicants as Manatee County’s new Utilities Department Director.

County Administrator Ed Hunzeker will recommend Gore’s formal appointment for County Commission approval at the Board’s next regular meeting, July 30. Gore is set to replace Dan Gray who is retiring after 30 years with Manatee County.

“Mike’s knowledge of our systems, his dedication, professionalism and most of all his outstanding leadership skills made him the standout candidate,” Hunzeker said. “He will serve you, the county citizens and his staff with the highest personal and professional standards.”

Gore was hired by Manatee County Government in 1984 as a part-time distribution tech assisting with water service installations and repairing broken water lines. He worked for 14 years with Manatee County Utilities Water Division. In 1998 he became the Lena Road Landfill Superintendent.

During Gore’s tenure at the landfill, he helped oversee upgrades at the Southeast Regional Plant Sludge Dryer that have resulted in a $300,000 annual savings to the utility system. He is also spearheading a generator project at the landfill that will allow the Southeast Regional Waste Water Plant to be run almost entirely off energy created at the Lena Road Landfill. That project will result in utility savings of about $650,000 a year.  

“My entire career has been spent with Manatee County Utilities,” Gore said. “Dan and I share is great pride in being a part of all that has been accomplished. I have learned a great deal while working alongside Mr. Gray and am excited to be able to see to completion some of the projects that have recently begun,” Gore said.

Gray is retiring July 12 after 30 years with Manatee County. During his time as Utilities Director, he helped bring about the Manatee Agricultural Reuse System, he established a local neighborhood distribution waterline replacement program at no cost to customers and he helped bring about the Sludge Dryer and the Landfill Gas projects.

 “The utility is well positioned organizationally, financially and operationally to meet the concerns of this community,” Gray said. “These concerns include the increasing demands of the residents and commercial customers as well as allowing the County to manage its growth potentials. More importantly I feel that the staff has gained a high level of experience not only in dealing with those strategic issues but recognizing the singular importance of that existing customer.”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org, www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl, on Twitter @ManateeGov, or call (941) 748-4501.