Austin Utilities announced Thursday the retirement of Joe Kroc, electric distribution supervisor with 34 years of service.

“Thank you to Joe for his long-term career at Austin Utilities. We greatly appreciate his leadership and his commitment of service to our community. We wish him the best in his retirement,” said Mark Nibaur, general manager at Austin Utilities.

Kroc began his Austin Utilities career in October 1982 as a meter reader. In 1989 he moved to a position in gas and water construction before beginning his line worker career in 1991. In April 2011 he advanced to supervisor of the department. He plans to use his retirement time for more golfing, fishing and spending time with family.

As a result of the retirement, Bill Bumgarner, lead line worker, will advance to the position of electric distribution supervisor.

“Congratulations to Bill on his advancement,” Nibaur said. “We look forward to his leadership.”

Bumgarner began his Austin Utilities’ career in January 1995 as a janitor at the northeast plant. He later transferred to the gas & water construction department before beginning his line worker career in 1998.