John Bethel to leave Arkansas Public Service Commission

Arkansas Public Service Commission executive director John Bethel will step down from his post after 18 years in the position effective April 30, 2018. Bethel announced his pending departure in an email to colleagues at the PSC on Tuesday, April 17.

“I am writing to inform you that I am retiring from my position of Executive Director of the Arkansas Public Service Commission effective April 30, 2018. I am pursuing other career opportunities, and this is a step in that process. I will be able to share more about that in the future. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a member of the Commission’s Staff for over twenty-nine years and as the Executive Director for almost eighteen years. I could not have imagined the wonderful experiences and opportunities that lay ahead of me when I began my career with the Commission in October of 1988. My work here has been interesting and rewarding.

One of the highlights of my career is the opportunity to work with an incredible group of people who have played a vital role in exploring, evaluating, and implementing a number of significant public policy decisions. I have had the pleasure of working with many of you for most of my career here and with some of you for all of my career here. We have watched each other’s children grow up and have shared many other life experiences together. I’ve had the good fortune of working with a number of incredibly bright and talented individuals who have helped me throughout my career. You have helped to shape and mold me personally and professionally. Thank you so much for being an important part of my life. I am not able to adequately express how much I’ve enjoyed working with each of you and how much I appreciate your friendship and your contributions to the Agency.

I am proud of the years that I have invested in this Agency. I am convinced that this is the best state agency with the best employees. It is a great place to work, and I consider it an honor to be part of the PSC family and I will always treasure the time I have spent here and the accomplishments of the Agency during my career. I am confident that the team of dedicated and talented public servants who work here will continue the good work of the Agency long after I am gone.

Thank you for your support and friendship as we have served together. I will miss working with you and the other members of my PSC family. I leave with a heart full of happy memories and rewarding accomplishments. I am confident that the Commission will continue to do great things for the citizens of Arkansas.”

Talk Business & Politics will update this story shortly.