Taking a Page out of Tampa Electric history might mean one less critical element in our commitment to bring safe, reliable, affordable power to rapidly growing Plant City.
But instead, and to everyone’s benefit, you have Johnny Dean Page Substation.
Completed last year on County Line Road in eastern Hillsborough County, the substation bears the name of TECO’s retired vice president of Community Relations and an all-around beloved figure in the community. Gordon Gillette, president and CEO of Tampa Electric and president of Florida Operations, presented Johnny Dean Page with the honor at the Florida Strawberry Festival Annual Parade Luncheon on March 6.
“Johnny wrote the book on being an ambassador to this area – and he’s showed generations of us at TECO how valuable a warm handshake and a sincere interest in who you are as a person can be,” Gillette said. “As much as you could say Johnny Dean Page is TECO, he defines this community just as much. He’s played a major role in helping Plant City grow.”
Page began his career with Tampa Electric in 1957, working in a warehouse at the company’s Central Service Area on Sligh Avenue in Tampa. As he rose through the ranks at his company, to Plant City District Manager and beyond, he developed lifelong connections with people inside and outside TECO. Other notable achievements by Page, who spent 32 years in the Army National Guard, include leadership roles with the Tampa Sports Authority, the Southeastern Electric Exchange, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Committee of 100, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Economic Development Council.
Page, 81, was all smiles at the luncheon as he received a rousing ovation.
“This is quite an honor,” he said. “Plant City is full of great people who have been wonderful to work with. TECO has been heavily involved in the community; economic development is a very important part of what the company is all about.”
And what about the substation itself? It began operation last year handling 37 megavolt amps of electricity, with room to expand as the community’s needs grow. Modern relay equipment helps ensure power reliability for our customers, and special protection for its energized components helps protect smaller members of the community – birds and squirrels – from the risk of injury.
In short, it’s a showcase for our commitment to economic development, reliability, a strong community and power for the future.
A little like the towering, continuing legacy of Johnny Dean Page himself.
“For decades to come, homes and businesses in plant city will continue to thrive with power from Johnny Dean Page Substation,” Gillette said. “People will turn on their lights and a little part of Johnny will be in that electricity – just as he’s brought the energy of his belief in the community to TECO, to the places we’re proud to call home, and to all of us here today.”
Experience a taste of Florida like no other at the 82nd annual Florida Strawberry Festival through March 12, 2017! For more information, visit the festival online at flstrawberryfestival.com.
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