Lubbock Power & Light CEO Dr. Gary Zheng Placed on Paid Leave

Dr. Gary Zheng's tenure as CEO for Lubbock Power & Light is coming to an end.  Today, in a special meeting of the Electric Utility Board (EUB), the EUB voted 6-3 to place Zheng on paid administrative leave.

Zheng will be on paid leave for 30 days and during that time LP&L General Counsel Todd Kimbrough will negotiate terms for Zheng's departure from LP&L.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lubbock Power & Light announced the hiring of David McCalla as assistant director of utilities for the beleaguered public utility.

LP&L has come under fire over the past few weeks, especially from Mayor Glen Robertson, for allegations of mismanagement by Zheng as the FBI met with a senior member of LP&L management concerning Zheng's bid practices. Zheng also was under heavy public scrutiny last year after a billing error came to light which affected numerous LP&L customers.