Mr. Briele is retiring as the City of Salem Electric Department Director on December 31, 2025 and Council honored him by proclaiming December 11, 2025, "A.K. Briele Day" in Salem.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, we are here today to express our appreciation to August “A.K.” Briele III for 43 years of distinguished service to the City of Salem, its employees, and residents from 1982-2025; and

WHEREAS, on November 29, 1982, A.K. began his distinguished career with the City of Salem when he was hired as an Electrical Engineer after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1981; and

WHEREAS, he quickly established himself as a model employee that his fellow co-workers could depend on, confide in, and emulate. As an early evaluation noted, “A.K. is exceptional. He works whatever hours are needed, he is never sick, he arrives 30 minutes early, and he never complains,”; and

WHEREAS, those traits and selfless work ethic never changed as A.K. worked his way to the top of the department. After less than eight years of employment, he was promoted to the Assistant Director position. And after a dozen years in that role, he took over as Director in 2002. Throughout his more than four decades with Salem, A.K. remained one of the most respected employees in the city.; and  

WHEREAS, during his tenure, A.K. inspired his fellow employees to always put citizens first and restore power quickly. To that end, Salem has been consistently honored by the American Public Power Association for keeping the lights on. Salem’s power interruption time has averaged a mere 10 minutes for non-emergency events, while the national average is nearly 14 times greater at 139 minutes.; and

WHEREAS, A.K. steered the city into its current state-of-the-art facility on West Main Street in 2009. The two-story, 30,000 square foot building was constructed for $10.2 million and helped move the city out of a building it has occupied for over 100 years. A.K. faithfully oversaw the project from start to finish, but humbly deflected the credit and accolades to his fellow employees; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, A.K. also served on numerous boards and commissions where he not only gave Salem a seat at the table, but also a respected professional in the room who always worked for the overall betterment of the city; and

WHEREAS, today, the City of Salem salutes A.K. Briele, a dedicated employee whose work has improved the lives of his co-workers, enhanced the efficiency of the Electric Department’s daily operations, and made the Salem community a better place to live.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RENÉE FERRIS TURK, Mayor of the City of Salem, Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby proclaim December 11, 2025, as

August “A.K.” Briele III Day

In the City of Salem, Virginia, and urge all residents and employees to join me and the City Council to congratulate A.K. on an outstanding career with the City of Salem and wishing him many continued years of happiness and good health.

FURTHERMORE;  let it be resolved that A.K. Briele shall forever be recognized as an integral part of the City of Salem, and we offer gratitude and best wishes for his well-earned retirement and all future endeavors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Salem to be affixed this the 11th day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

Mayor of the City of Salem, Virginia

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Renée Ferris Turk
Anne Marie Green
John Saunders
H. Hunter Holliday
Randy Foley

ATTEST:
H. Robert Light
Clerk of Council
City of Salem, Virginia