Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has reappointed Richard Maples to a four-year term as a commissioner at First Utility District, which serves the Farragut area. He joins John Griess and Darla Berdal on the board.
Maples joined the board in 2004 and was elected board president in 2017. Bruce Giles has served as general manager of First Utility since 2010.
Maples is a lifelong resident of Knoxville, a graduate of Bearden High School and the University of Tennessee. He worked 47 years in transportation, warehousing and real estate development. With two friends, Richard founded and eventually sold Averitt Express. He and his wife, Joni Maples, have two children and five grandchildren.
Richard also serves on the board of directors for The Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont and Helen Ross McNabb Center Foundation. He and Joni were honored at McNabb’s 2023 Spirit Awards Dinner for their contributions of time and resources.