CUMMING - Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation announced Monday that a former President and CEO of the Cumming-based EMC, M. J. Gravitt, died over the weekend following an extended illness.
Gravitt served in a variety of positions at Sawnee from 1948 until June 29, 1990, and retired as President and Chief Executive Officer after serving the corporation for 42 years.
"Mr. Gravitt was a great leader for this cooperative and, due to his leadership and foresight, we owe him for much of what we enjoy today," said Michael A. Goodroe, President and CEO of Sawnee. Gravitt joined Sawnee in 1948 as an accountant and became President and CEO in 1963 when then manager Frank M. Chancey died.
He saw the EMC through challenges that included development of the service area due to the filling of Lake Lanier, the rapid cost increases associated with the oil embargo and the formation of new power supply relationships during the 1970s, and the rapid growth of the 1980s.
"Through the challenges of three decades, Mr. Gravitt showed true leadership and wisdom to guide the cooperative to new and brighter achievements," said Sawnee's Board Chairman Rodney Reese.
"We will miss him and thank him for the legacy that he created for us all to follow," said Linda Burton, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO.
Gravitt is survived by his wife Polly and his daughter and grandchildren.
Thursday
October 10th, 2024
6:36PM
