Charlie Gauger has dedicated nearly four decades to Florida Power & Light (FPL), continuing a family tradition that began with his grandfather, who worked for the company for over 30 years. Gauger, born and raised in West Palm Beach, started his career at FPL in 1987 after graduating high school.
“I was born and raised in West Palm Beach,” Gauger said. “I was hired by FPL right out of high school. My grandfather worked for the company for just over 30 years. He was a draftsman. He read meters back when they would ride bicycles. I remember when my grandpa would pick me up from school and take me to visit the FPL office.”
For Gauger, joining FPL represented more than a job—it was about carrying on his family’s legacy.
“I just enjoyed spending time with my grandfather,” he recalled. “In my mind, at that young age, he had worked at the company forever. I never imagined I would end up at FPL or work for the company even longer than he did.”
A family friend encouraged him to apply, and he joined as soon as he turned 18.
“I knew it was a great place to work. I reminded him I was only 17 at the time, but when I turned 18, just a few months later, I went to work for FPL as a bill deliverer.”
Gauger’s early experience included delivering bills and reading meters—a role that gave him insight into how various departments function together to maintain reliable power service while managing costs.
“That was a huge step forward,” he said. “I stayed in that part of the company for 13 years, eventually becoming the lead at South Palm Meter Reading.”
He then moved into leadership roles within FPL and credits mentors such as Ron Reagan for guiding his career path.
“I had a couple of amazing mentors. They helped push me along,” Gauger said.
“Ron and I met regularly for 2–3 years,” Gauger added. “He had a plan in mind. I went to work on the Carousel Energy Center in Colorado to support FPL’s sister company, NextEra Energy Resources. That was my first and one of my favorite projects, because I got to see it grow from the ground up.”
Gauger also played key roles in constructing some of FPL’s initial solar projects like Babcock Ranch in 2016 and led distributed generation efforts such as solar trees that combine energy production with public education about renewable technologies.
His experiences reflect FPL’s emphasis on innovation and efficiency—an approach credited with keeping customer bills lower than most U.S. utilities while maintaining strong reliability standards.
“The projects I have been honored to support are how we deliver on our promise to customers,” Gauger explained.
According to data from industry sources, typical monthly bills for FPL customers are about $24 less than the national average among utilities—a result attributed partly to operational efficiencies and investments in diverse energy sources.
Reflecting on his long tenure with the company, Gauger expressed pride in both his contributions and those of colleagues throughout FPL’s history.
“I just finished my 38th year with the company,” he said. “In a career, I don’t think I could have asked to work with better people. I have, over the decades, always had this great company looking out for my best interests as well as the best interests of our customers.”
As project director today, Gauger continues focusing on innovation while mentoring new employees—something he sees as essential for sustaining progress within FPL.
“My motivation is to see the company continue to grow into different technologies,” he said. “Our projects can be very complex, but it’s also very stimulating to watch a project go from an idea to operational.”
He also values helping others advance their careers: “Some of my best career highlights were seeing people come in, like I did, and getting to help foster them into leadership, similar to what others did for me,” he noted.“I like to think about what I can do for others to keep them moving forward. I want to give back.”
As Florida Power & Light marks its centennial year serving Florida communities,Gauger’s journey underscores how generations of employees have contributedto building reliable electric service across thestate.
After nearly forty years followingin his grandfather’s footsteps,Gaugersayshis commitmentto servingFPLcustomers remains unchanged:
“That’s my 38-year career so far,”he concluded.“I’ve worked all overthecompany,andI’velovedeveryminuteofit.Andattheendoftheday,IfeelgoodknowingwhatIdohelpsourcustomers.That’swhatit’sallabout.”
