Familiar faces in top jobs at TLC
7 November 2023
Two new general managers have been appointed to the executive team at The Lines Company (TLC).
But their faces will already be familiar to many, both inside the company and out.
TLC chief executive Mike Fox has announced the appointment of Waitomo local Kyle Barnes as general manager – future energy.
In his role, Barnes is responsible for identifying and delivering new energy solutions for TLC customers. He has moved into the job with an excellent understanding of the company and community sector, having spent two years as a Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trustee. Barnes also has experience in tourism, agriculture and small business development.
Fox noted Barnes was a key driver behind the ground-breaking project at the Māniaroa marae; a project which used renewable energy to address energy affordability issues in the community. That project won ‘Community Initiative of the Year’ for TLC at the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards in August this year.
“That’s a really good example of the kind of new thinking we need, especially around using technology to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. We need to make energy more affordable for customers and our wider community,” Fox said.
“TLC’s role is not just providing energy and keeping the lights on. We need to be thinking a lot more widely and that includes using technology to our advantage. We can’t rely on traditional solutions, we need to think outside the square and that’s what Kyle has been charged with.”
In his role, Barnes will work closely with Craig Hackett, now formally confirmed as TLC’s general manager – operational excellence. Hackett has more than 30 years experience in the electricity sector with expertise in engineering, asset management and energy metering. He has already worked with TLC for eight years on a range of projects, including time with responsibility for long-term planning of the network. In his role, Hackett will focus on the development and implementation of strategic projects relating to business improvement and growth.
“TLC is fortunate to have Craig on our team; he is an acknowledged expert within the sector so to have him in our camp is brilliant,” Fox said.
“But importantly, Craig knows our business very well and importantly, our people and stakeholders as well. He supports the kind of role we want to have across the King Country and central plateau and he thinks and acts strategically which is what we need.”
The appointments of Barnes and Hackett complete TLC’s senior management team. Others include Gerhard Buitendach (general manager – network), Simon Batters (general manager – people and safety), Jared Murrell (general manager – service delivery) and Romay Rundgren (general manager – finance).