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“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” These are words said and modeled by Lansing Board of Water & Light’s (BWL) General Manager Dick Peffley. After one conversation with him, you understand this is intrinsically who he is, always focused on doing things right and looking out for the whole. It's how he's spent ten years at the steering wheel of BWL and this month, an impressive 50 years with the company. In all ways, Dick’s a partner you want on your side, a humble personality you want in the room, and a plethora of knowledge that will be hard to replace.   

Dick joined BWL in 1976 as a temporary janitor in the same plant that his dad oversaw construction of ten years prior. As a janitor, he paid attention and learned the ins and outs of the plant and in the meantime, went on to receive an associate degree from Lansing Community College. Between 1976 and 2006, Dick was promoted to the following positions: Laborer Advanced, Electronics Technician, General Supervisor of Operations, Plant Manager, Manager of Electric and Steam Production, Director of Production, Executive Director of Operations and Executive Director of Water Operations and Special Projects.  

He served as the Interim General Manager in 2006 for approximately one year during the search to fill the position. Declining the permanent General Manager offer, he returned to the Director of Production along with being the Interim Director of Operations. He stepped in for a second time as the Interim General Manager in 2015 and eight months later accepted the permanent position.  

As one of the longest standing employees at BWL, Dick has had many accomplishments over the years. In addition to the examples below, he’s helped pave the way to a coal-free, cleaner energy future heading toward carbon neutrality for BWL. 

• Renegotiated a coal contract which resulted in $52 million savings over two years. 

• Project manager for the $20 million Chilled Water Plant, which came in on time and on budget in 2009, named after his father, BWL retiree, Roy E. Peffley; 

• Project manager for the $182 million natural gas-fired REO Cogeneration Plant and Headquarters which came in on time and on budget in 2013; 

• Oversaw the completion to remove all lead water service lines in the BWL service territory in 2016, the second utility in the country to do so; 

• Oversaw the development and construction of the $500 million natural gas-fired Delta Energy Park in 2019; 

• Oversaw contract negotiations between General Motors and Ultium in 2022 to provide power for a new battery cell manufacturing plant, a transformational $2.6 billion investment that will support electric vehicle production in Lansing for the next generation. 

Having a general manager who started from the ground up is a huge testament about BWL as an organization. Without his vast industry knowledge, BWL wouldn’t be where it is today. Dick has always preached to work hard for what you want and is proof that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. He’s committed to serving our community and living Hometown People, Hometown Power.  

Congratulations to our very own General Manager on 50 years of distinguished service at the Lansing Board of Water & Light!