Delivering Growth That Lasts: A Conversation with Mike Cassel

Mike Cassel, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development, was recently promoted to lead Chesapeake Utilities' enterprise growth agenda. He oversees Strategic Development, bringing together business development, government affairs and strategic planning to translate Company strategy into tangible value for customers and communities. In this Q&A, Mike shares how Chesapeake Utilities is growing with discipline and purpose-advancing reliability, partnering locally and innovating toward a lower carbon future.

Q: Since joining Chesapeake Utilities in 2008, what changes have shaped your priorities for growth?

Cassel: What stands out is how intentionally we've grown. We've welcomed new customers and teammates, modernized systems and strengthened infrastructure, while keeping safety and reliability at the center. Integration isn't just about systems-it's about people and culture coming together to serve better. Today, we invest where demand is strong and where we can add real customer value, always with a long term view. Growth should last, not just lift the next quarter.

Q: How does constructive regulatory engagement enable innovation while protecting customers?

Cassel: When we engage constructively, we're planning with regulators, not just for them - and always with customers in mind. Starting with shared outcomes like safety, reliability and affordability allows us to align investments, advance modernization and manage bill impacts responsibly. Clear plans, transparent data and consistent follow through build trust, and trust enables practical innovation.

Q: How do community partnerships support responsible expansion?

Cassel: Growth is only meaningful if communities feel the benefit. Local partnerships help ensure expansion brings immediate value - reliable energy, support for those in need and opportunities for families and businesses. We're intentional about bringing these supports with us from day one.

Q: How will service quality scale with growth?

Cassel: We scale reliability and the customer experience together - strengthening infrastructure while modernizing platforms so service is simpler, clearer and more proactive.

Q: What technologies or partnerships excite you most?

Cassel: Practical innovation, like renewable natural gas, advanced system monitoring and transportation energy solutions, helps improve resilience, expand access and support lower carbon outcomes, all grounded in customer value.

Q: Five years from now, what do you hope people say about Chesapeake Utilities?

Cassel: That we're a trusted neighbor: dependable, invested and doing things the right way by listening, partnering and showing up when it mattered most.