Ted Spangenberg, Gulf Power’s Military Affairs and Special Projects director, recently served as Chief-Subcamp 15, hosting more than 1,500 Boy Scouts at the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.

Spangenberg is a Chipley native and served as the district manager for the Gulf Power office in Panama City for nine years.

The subcamp included scouts, leaders and staff from Northwest Florida, South Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and East Texas. It was part of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100^th anniversary celebration.

Spangenberg was part of four generations of “Theodore Spangenbergs” who attended the Jamboree. They included his father, “Mr. Ted,” of Chipley, his son, Ted III, who both also served on the Jamboree staff, and his 10-year-old grandson, Tad, who was a day visitor.

“That was a first for the Boy Scouts, having four generations there,” Ted said. “Although it did cause some confusion with the paperwork.”

Spangenberg also served in a liaison role with the Joint Military Task Force that supports the Jamboree. The Scouts have a lease to use the military base for the Jamboree, and the Department of Defense uses the event, normally held once every four years, as a major training exercise for them.

About 35,000 Scouts, ages 12-17, attended the event, which lasted 10 days. Two of Spangenberg’s nephews, as well as the three sons of Margaret Neyman, Marketing manager, attended.

“Providing leadership to a subcamp operation has numerous similarities to that of logistics supporting a major power restoration effort,” Spangenberg said. “Many of those skills and tactics were put to use at Camp Hope in Ocean Springs, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina.”

Spangenberg and the other subcamp chiefs were required to complete FEMA’s National Incident Management Training. Every activity at the Jamboree required a safety Risk Assessment.

Spangenberg held a safety briefing for all 100 of his subcamp staff each morning at breakfast, and the entire staff achieved Target Zero for the duration of the Jamboree.

“It’s very rewarding to work with these future leaders of our country,” Spangenberg said. “The Boy Scouts of America is a great program for developing young men.”

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility that serves more than 428,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.