Century Hires Former Memphis, TN, Gas Services Supervisor

May 5, 2015

The Town of Century voted Monday night to hire a new gas superintendent, a man that held a similar position in an area nearly 550 times larger than Century. Walter B. Kellett is expected to be on the job in Century within a month, coming from Memphis, TN, where he retired from the municipal utility a little over a year after his federal lawsuit against his employer was dismissed.

Kellett worked for Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division in Memphis, from 1990 until this year, and was the department’s Supervisor of Gas Services from 2001 to 2015, according to his resume.  At Memphis Light, Gas and Water, he was responsible for the direction of nearly 50 employees in a system with 313,000 meters. During his tenure, he also worked as a commercial and industrial service representative, a commercial and industrial gas welder installer and a gas utility technician. He holds numerous industry-related professional licenses and certifications, his resume states.

According to Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Kellett said in his employment interview that he recently retired from Memphis Light, Gas and Water and was looking to move to Florida with his wife.  McCall said Kellett did not mention anything about problems that led him to file a federal complaint and lawsuit against the Memphis utility. The mayor said the town was unaware of the lawsuit.

According to federal court records, Kellett filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against Memphis Light, Gas and Water claiming that he was the victim of reverse racial discrimination. The EEOC was unable to reach a determination on the claim, and Kellett filed suit in federal court against the municipal utility in November 2011 alleging discrimination and retaliation.

In the complaint, Kellett, who is white, claimed he was disciplined by a black supervisor after a verbal altercation with a black female employee. After he filed an internal complaint, Kellett claimed he did not receive  a timely job evaluation as compared to black employees and that he was not adequately compensated as black employees were after receiving additional job duties.

Kellett’s complaint was dismissed in January 2014, according to federal court records.

In Century, Kellett will replace a longtime employee who retired recently.

Pictured top: The headquarters of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division in Memphis, TN. Pictured below: A portion of Walter Kellett’s employment discrimination complaint against his former employer, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division. Pictured inset: A Town of Century natural gas powered truck, NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Century Hires Former Memphis, TN, Gas Services Supervisor”

  1. Citizen on May 5th, 2015 2:43 pm

    @jeeperman
    The Town of Century doesn’t comment here but from what I’ve read and know, the Gas Superintendent retired The Waste Water supervisor passed away suddenly and they have that covered. I think they work hard and look out for our best interests. Thanks and good job Mayor McCall and Council and employees. We appreciate you.

  2. Citizen on May 5th, 2015 2:05 pm

    Welcome Kellet and family I hope this will be a welcome fresh start for all involved and you find peace of mind and fairness. I hope any racial tensions are left behind and we find you to be a new well experienced asset to our community. Century may have some challenges but I believe we earnestly hope for a better life here for everyone including you.

  3. David Huie Green on May 5th, 2015 11:11 am

    I probably wouldn’t have brought that up either.

    David for equal and fair treatment for all
    {unless I need special treatment, of course)

  4. chris on May 5th, 2015 10:04 am

    At least Century does not need to provide him with baggage.

  5. jeeperman on May 5th, 2015 8:53 am

    Oct. 2014: the town “desperately” needs to find a wastewater treatment facility operator in order to fulfill state requirements.

    Nov. 2014: Century hires one.

    Jan. 2015: She resigns, the search starts over.

    Without a certified wastewater treatment plant operator on duty six hours per day, Century could face fines and other sanctions from the state.

    May 2015: Century hires a “gas superintendent”.
    Was there one before him that he replaced or is this a newly created position?

    Seems the hiring priorities are bass ackwards.

  6. BT on May 5th, 2015 6:15 am

    It might not pay as much as Memphis, but he gets to drive a snazzy truck with flames.

  7. Gman on May 5th, 2015 4:52 am

    Only time will tell.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News