Gas district names Brent Haywood CEO, general manager

Lake Apopka Natural Gas District has appointed Brent Haywood as the company’s next chief executive officer and general manager, effective Jan. 8, 2024.

Haywood comes to LANGD from Okaloosa Gas District, where he spent the last seven years as the company’s vice president of operations. He will bring more than 25 years of industry experience to his role as the local district/s sixth CEO and general manager.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve as LANGD’s next CEO/GM, and I feel compelled that this is the right opportunity for me and my family,” Haywood said. “The utility business, to me, is about public service and the ability to contribute to the common good. I see myself as a servant leader – I lead by service, but I also lead by experience and energy.

“Fostering innovation and growth, ensuring fiscal responsibility with our operations, and continuing to implement environmental and organizational programs that support our communities will be key aspects of our vision for the future of the district,” he said.

Okaloosa Gas District and LANGD stand as the only two special districts established in Florida to serve as independent utilities owning and operating natural gas transmission and distribution systems.

“We feel very fortunate that we have somebody as qualified and well-experienced as Brent Haywood joining Lake Apopka Natural Gas District,” said LANGD chairman Bill Arrowsmith. “He is well-qualified, has a wonderful résumé and has come up through this industry, and I think he is a great fit to be LANGD’s next CEO.”

Haywood will succeed Samuel Davis Jr., who has served as CEO/GM since 2008. Davis announced his plans to retire earlier this summer.

“I started working in the natural gas industry in 1973, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my time at Lake Apopka Natural Gas District,” Davis said. “I feel like I have accomplished everything I set out to do when I originally started as CEO 16 years ago, but I think it’s finally time for me to relax and enjoy retirement. I have 14 grandchildren, and I am looking forward to spending more time with all of them.”

The district achieved historic success under the direction of Davis, growing by more than 93% over the past decade to serve more than 28,000 customers today. LANGD also received unprecedented recognition under his leadership, including its highest-ever distinction — the American Public Gas Association Gold System Overall Achievement Recognition Award — in 2020.

Davis officially will retire at the end of March to allow time for Haywood to transition smoothly into the new role.

“I’m ready to get to work,” said Haywood. “I look forward to getting to know the people, the community and what resources are available to see how we can continue growing and make (LANGD) even better than what it is today.”

A University of Tennessee alumnus and a licensed practicing engineer in four states, including Florida, Haywood has been involved in the utility sector for nearly three decades.

Actively involved in a number of industry associations, Haywood is a current member of the Florida Natural Gas Association’s Operations Committee and the American Gas Association’s Plastic Pipeline Data Committee, while he also served as vice president of the Tennessee Gas Authority (2012) and was a member of the authority’s board of directors (2008-2012).