Award to be presented at Sixty-Sixth Commencement ceremony
LANSING Mich. Lansing Community College announces that Richard Peffley has been named the 2024 Distinguished Alumni. This award honors an outstanding alumnus who has excelled in their career and service to their community.
Richard Peffley graduated from Lansing Community College in 1982 with an associate degree in science. Since that time, he has devoted himself to public utility service, currently as general manager of the Lansing Board of Water and Light Board.
Peffley’s leadership over BWL – Michigan’s largest publicly owned utility – is paving the way to a coal-free, clean energy future with commitments to an expanded renewable energy portfolio and carbon neutrality.
His experience at BWL is extensive, having served in many electric and water utility roles. In January 2022, he oversaw contract negotiations between General Motors and Ultium for BWL to provide power for a new battery cell manufacturing plant, a transformational $2.6 billion investment that will support electric vehicle production in Lansing for the next generation. He also was project manager for the $182 million natural gas-fired REO Cogeneration Plant and Headquarters, completed in 2013.
Of particular note, Peffley oversaw the removal of all lead water service lines in 2016, making BWL the second utility in the country to do so. Additionally, Peffley served as the project manager for the chilled water plant named after his father, BWL retiree Roy E. Peffley.
He previously served as Executive Director of Operations and was plant manager at the Erickson Power Station and Eckert Power Station, and now serves as a board member for the Michigan Municipal Electric Association.
Peffley will address graduates and be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at LCC’s 66th Commencement ceremony at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University.
LCC will also honor graduates at the following ceremonies:
- Dental Hygiene pinning – May 2
- Fire Academy graduation – May 2
- Police Academy graduation– May 3
- American Sign Language graduation – May 6
- Nurse Pinning ceremony – May 7
- EMS graduation – May 8
- ERESA Awards ceremony – May 16
About Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College is an equal-opportunity educational institution/employer. Lansing Community College programs and activities are open for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information.
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PHOTO BY PERMISSION – RICHARD PEFFLEY, BWL, LCC
