General Manager & Executive Vice President

General Manager & Executive Vice President  

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives 

The Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) is seeking candidates to be the organization’s next General Manager and Executive Vice President (GM/ EVP). The current GM, Chris Meyers, will retire in March 2025 after 15 years of service to the statewide and its member cooperatives. 

OAEC’s board has partnered with GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with this search. 

The statewide is looking for a dynamic and high-integrity leader to continue nurturing the positive relationship and reputation with its various stakeholders, including the 27 electric distribution cooperatives and three generation and transmission cooperatives who collectively serve more than 1.1 million member-consumers in the state of Oklahoma.  

The new GM and EVP should possess exceptional leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, and robust relationship-building abilities. The ideal candidate will possess a strategic mindset and a deep commitment to fostering collaboration. He or she should be a people-focused leader with experience in leading successful teams. This role will be pivotal in shaping an organizational culture that empowers OAEC’s team to excel and deliver outstanding service to its member cooperatives.  

It is vital that the GM and EVP is firmly committed to OAEC’s ethics and core values and integrates these principles into their leadership and service approach. Additionally, the GM and EVP should exemplify self-awareness and foster a collaborative, teamwork-oriented environment. 

OAEC’s GM and EVP will guide the association toward excellence in organizational culture, service, member engagement, and fiscal strength.  This collaborative effort requires exceptional leadership skills to cultivate positive relationships with the board, member cooperatives, staff, regulatory agencies, legislators, business partners, the broader community, and other stakeholders. 

About Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives 

OAEC, headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, is a statewide organization that supports local electric distribution and generation/transmission cooperatives.  It comprises 30 member systems, including 28 in Oklahoma and two in Arkansas that serve parts of Oklahoma.  Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives power over 1.1 million Oklahomans, covering 93% of the state’s landmass, providing service in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, and serving over 527,000 in-state meters and over 134,000 meters in surrounding states.   

OAEC’s Board of Trustees, representing each of its 30 member cooperatives, eagerly anticipates working with the association’s next GM and EVP to build upon OAEC’s successful track record. 

About the Region 

Oklahoma City (OKC), the capital and largest city in Oklahoma, is in the heart of the state along the North Canadian River. Its population is approximately 709,000 residents and over one million in the metropolitan area. 

Key industry sectors contributing to the central Oklahoma economy include energy (mainly oil and natural gas), aerospace and aviation, biotechnology, manufacturing, and agriculture.  This year, aerospace and defense are one of the target sectors for accelerated growth, which continues to drive job expansion and innovation in the region. 

OKC was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the sixteenth-best city in the U.S. in which to live.  The area offers a diverse range of attractions and outdoor activities.  You can explore the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, visit the vibrant Bricktown Entertainment District, enjoy the Oklahoma City Zoo, or take in a game at the Paycom Center, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.  The area also has numerous parks, lakes, and trails, providing many opportunities for outdoor recreation.  OKC hosts various cultural and musical festivals annually, including the Festival of the Arts and the Oklahoma State Fair.  The region experiences all four seasons: mild winters, vibrant spring blooms, warm summers, and colorful autumns. 

Oklahoma City boasts a vibrant blend of rich history and modern amenities, making it an exciting place to live and visit. Additionally, numerous day trips are within a two to three-hour drive, including Turner Falls Park in Davis, home to Oklahoma’s largest waterfall, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Tulsa, and Dallas, Texas.   

The closest major airport is Will Rogers International Airport (OKC), conveniently located just a short drive from downtown and approximately 14 miles from OAEC’s headquarters. 

Qualifications 

Required 

Applications from those not meeting the required qualifications will not be considered.  

• Verifiable, successful leadership experience within the electric utility industry at the Vice President level (or equivalent) or above.  We recognize that many utilities refer to those reporting to the CEO/GM as something other than “Vice President.” In such situations, individuals who are direct reports to the CEO/GM are welcome to apply, and they must be clear that they are direct reports to the CEO/GM in the cover letter or resume. 

• Successful legislative experience in advocacy efforts at state and/or national level  

• An understanding of the regulatory, political, and legislative environments facing the electric utility industry 

• Excellent leadership and communication skills 

• An ability to develop a compelling vision and strategic plan that aligns with the long-term goals of the Board of Trustees 

• Demonstrated success in building high-performance teams and excellent organizational cultures where employees thrive 

• A focus on delivering an outstanding experience for member cooperatives 

• The ability to build a workplace that aligns with OAEC’s vision, values, and policies and adheres to federal and state employment regulations 

• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with the board of trustees, executive teams, employees, member cooperatives, and key external stakeholders 

• An understanding of electric utility industry trends, their likely effects on cooperatives, and ways to leverage those trends to benefit OAEC and its member cooperatives 

• Highly developed skills in communicating, coordinating, and negotiating business plans and initiatives with member cooperative executives 

• An understanding of – and an appreciation for – the cooperative business model and Seven Cooperative Principles 

• A commitment to professional growth and development for self, leadership team members, and the association’s employees 

• A willingness to travel for meetings at the local, regional, and national level 

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university 

Preferred 

• An advanced degree or certification, including but not limited to law, political science, management, finance, accounting, economics, or engineering. 

• A working knowledge of electric utility operations, safety protocols, power supply, member needs and expectations, and finances   

Compensation and Benefits 

In addition to a competitive salary, OAEC’s new GM and EVP will enjoy the following benefits: Pension and 401(k) plan; medical, dental, and prescription drug insurance; long-term disability insurance; life insurance; supplemental AD&D insurance; business travel accident insurance; educational assistance plan; Section 125 plan; health savings account; eight recognized holidays and one floating holiday; vacation and sick leave; and a company vehicle. 

Application Process and Deadline 

Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must email a cover letter and resume to Monica Beavers, Director of Client Services at GreatCo-Ops, at mbeavers@greatcoops.com.  In addition to discussing the applicant’s fit for the role, the cover letter must also include the individual’s perspectives on one significant trend in the electric utility industry and how it will likely affect OAEC and its member cooperatives. 

Professional references and a personality profile will be requested later for applicants who progress. Finalists will undergo a comprehensive background check, and the selected candidate must also undergo a pre-employment drug test. 

Applications are preferred by November 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.  However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives is an equal-opportunity employer.