The president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is retiring months after high pressure in gas pipes that the utility maintained led to a series of explosions in the Merrimack Valley.
The company made the announcement in a statement released Friday.
President Steve Bryant headed the company during the gas disaster and the recovery effort that followed.
He will be replaced by Mark Kempic, the utility’s chief operating officer, effective May 1, company officials said. Kempic assumed his current role at Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in January, the statement said.
Kempic oversaw the recovery effort meant to restore gas to thousands of the utility’s customers who were deprived of it following the September explosions, which resulted in one death, dozens of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
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“Mark will continue to focus on working with our customers, state and local leaders, and community stakeholders as he leads our gas business in Massachusetts,” said Pablo Vegas, executive vice president and president of gas utilities at Columbia Gas’ parent company, NiSource. “This includes the next phase of the recovery effort in the Greater Lawrence area and continuing to meet our customer and community needs across the state.”
In September, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation addressed a letter to Bryant criticizing Columbia Gas for its “woefully inadequate response” to the explosions that tore through the Greater Lawrence area.
The utility also faced backlash from the same lawmakers during Bryant’s tenure for sending customers in the Greater Lawrence Area who did not lose gas service backdated bills and proposing winter rate hikes.
“Steve dedicated his career to the important work of providing gas service to his home state of Massachusetts,” Vegas said. “We thank Steve for his many years of service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
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Max Reyes can be reached at max.reyes@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MaxJReyes.