ECUA's Bruce Woody Retires After Six Years — App, Transfer Station Among Legacy Items

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Bruce Woody wraps up his final day as Executive Director of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Friday — closing out a 42-year career in utilities management with what he calls one of the most rewarding positions he has ever held.

Woody joined ECUA six years ago and leaves the agency in strong operational shape. He highlighted two areas he is particularly proud of and one he wishes he could have finished before walking out the door.

The launch of the MyECUA app stands as one of his signature achievements. Available on mobile devices the app allows customers to request bulk pickup, report missed service, pay bills, order service and check consumption levels without calling customer service. Just two months after launch it is already handling nearly ten percent of ECUA's more than 4,000 monthly service requests — with a target of twenty percent. Requests submitted through the app bypass paper systems and go directly to staff, resulting in faster response times.

The one item Woody wishes he could have finished is the ECUA transfer station in Beulah — still awaiting final permitting. The facility would allow trucks to offload closer to their routes rather than making the full trip to the landfill, reducing truck traffic on Beulah Road and cutting hauling and operational costs for ratepayers.

Don Palmer — a 26-year ECUA employee — serves as interim executive director while the board conducts its permanent search. Woody is relocating to Missouri to be near family and plans to spend his retirement building furniture in his woodshop.