April 17, 2025 – Lenoir City, Tennessee — The Lenoir City Utilities Board (LCUB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Leon Shields as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, effective immediately. The Board voted unanimously to approve Shields’ promotion during its regularly scheduled meeting on March 17. Shields will work directly with LCUB CEO Shannon Littleton.
LCUB Board Chairman and Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens stated, “Leon has been a lifelong resident of Lenoir City, and his service to our community, the state, and to LCUB has been nothing short of exceptional. Having known Leon for many years, I can confidently say that his deep roots in this community, combined with his decades of operational experience, make him an outstanding choice to lead LCUB into the future. The Board and I are excited to support him in this new role.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Shields shared, “From a young age, I aspired to work in a role where I could give back to the community I love and have always called home. I began my journey with LCUB in 1991 in a part-time janitorial role—cleaning vehicles and facilities—and never imagined that one day I would have the honor of serving as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. This milestone is the result of many years of dedication, hard work, and a passion for service. I’m grateful to Chairman Aikens and the Board for their confidence in me, and I look forward to continuing to serve LCUB’s customers and our community with integrity and commitment.”
Shields’ career with LCUB spans more than three decades. After joining as a part-time employee in 1991, he was hired full-time in 1993 in the Water, Wastewater, and Natural Gas Division. He steadily advanced through the organization, becoming Supervisor of Field Operations in 2007 and Director in 2022.
Beyond his work with LCUB, Shields has a long history of civic involvement. He has served as a Deputy with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, Director of Loudon County Fire/Rescue, Chairman of the Lenoir City Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals, and Commissioner for both the Lenoir City Housing Authority and the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission. Additionally, he has held appointments as Chairman of the Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board for the Oak Ridge Reservation, Chair of the DOE’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, and Commissioner of Volunteer Tennessee under Governor Bill Haslam. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission, appointed by Governor Bill Lee. Shields remains actively engaged in civic and nonprofit initiatives throughout the region. ABOUT LCUB
LCUB goes the extra mile to provide the highest quality service, using the most advanced technology to deliver personal utility needs at the lowest possible rates. Serving over 96,000 customers, LCUB provides electricity, gas, water and wastewater services as well as fiber internet services to customers in Loudon, Knox, Roane and Anderson Counties in East Tennessee. LCUB is the 8th largest utility provider among the 153 Tennessee Valley Authority distributors. Offering advanced technologies and superior customer service, LCUB delivers smart services that enhance the personal, reliable service customers have come to depend on.
