Small joins RMLD from Danvers Electric effective January 2, 2026
READING, MA – Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) and its Board of Commissioners (Board) have announced that Jason Small will take the helm as general manager effective January 2, 2026. Small brings more than 20 years of deep utility experience as a proven, hands-on leader in electric distribution, substation and transmission systems, operations, capital planning, labor relations, and strategic development.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I am thrilled to welcome Jason as RMLD’s new general manager. Jason’s depth of experience in investor-owned and municipal utilities, along with his dedication to RMLD through his service on the Citizens’ Advisory Board, gives us a high degree of confidence that he will jump right in to lead the organization with commitment to our mission of providing reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy,” said RMLD Board of Commissioners Chair Pam Daskalakis. “I also want to thank Paul Heanue for serving as interim general manager. Paul jumped in quickly and was a steady hand during a time of change. We are grateful for his diligence and support during his time with RMLD and wish him the best as he re-enters retirement.”
“I’m truly excited for the opportunity to join RMLD as general manager and grateful to the Board of Commissioners for the trust they have placed in me,” said Small. “RMLD has such a strong reputation for excellence, innovation, and community commitment. I look forward to contributing my skills to the dedicated, hard-working team at RMLD and growing together as we deliver on our shared mission to provide reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy to our customers.”
Small will be joining RMLD from his current role as engineering and operations manager for the Town of Danvers, where he oversees daily and emergency operations across engineering, line operations, and technical services for the electric division. Small’s experience at Danvers, which includes leading energy systems planning, managing a $12 million annual capital budget, and ensuring operational reliability, will be an asset as he assumes the role of general manager at RMLD. His professional work is complemented by his active engagement in industry leadership, including as a NEPPA award recipient, APPA panelist, and member of the RMLD Citizens’ Advisory Board.
Earlier in his career, Jason held progressively senior utility leadership positions at both Danvers and National Grid, which included managing major capital portfolios ranging from $1 million to $75 million, guiding multidisciplinary teams through complex distribution, substation, and transmission projects, and developing and implementing enhanced project management processes and risk management procedures.
Small holds a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Maine. With these advanced credentials and his broad utility background in reliability, risk management, and grid modernization, Small will bring a proven track record of utility operational excellence and strategic vision to the role.
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About Reading Municipal Light Department
Established in 1894, Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) is a municipal electric utility serving over 70,000 residents in Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, and Lynnfield Center, Massachusetts. RMLD is the largest of the 40 municipal light departments in Massachusetts based on electricity load, is not-for-profit and is locally owned and controlled. RMLD is committed to serving our customers with reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy. For more information visit: rmld.com
