CEO Search
LPEA currently has a search underway for the Chief Executive Officer. LPEA is the 6th largest of 22 electric cooperatives in Colorado, distributing power to members located in a 3,531 square mile service territory stretching across La Plata and Archuleta counties, together with portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and San Juan counties. LPEA maintains almost 4,000 miles of energized distribution and transmission line, 30 substations, and provides service to over 48,000 meters. The company has a staff of approximately 120 highly qualified and highly engaged employees, many represented by local IBEW 111 26 and 26A. As an electric cooperative, LPEA is owned by its members and operated for the benefit of these members.
The new LPEA CEO will join the company at a pivotal point in the cooperative’s history. In March 2024, the LPEA Board of Directors voted to terminate the coop’s relationship with Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association (TGTA) which stipulated that LPEA purchase 95% of its power from TGTA. There is a two-year lead time into the separation which will therefore occur on April 1, 2026.
LPEA’s change in leadership is also happening at a decisive moment within the energy sector at large. As a soon to be independent utility provider, LPEA can totally redefine its business model from a top-down energy distribution coop to a layered power supply utility where energy is generated, stored, and consumed locally. The incoming CEO will lead the effort at LPEA to build out renewable energy infrastructure across its service territory and contracting for additional energy supply with a focus on renewable energy. This is a significant undertaking in LPEA’s large service territory, and the new CEO must be up for the task and the challenge.
Appointed by and reporting to the 12-member Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the highest executive authority at LPEA and will have full planning, operations, and financial responsibility. As a cooperative utility, the CEO reports to the Board which governs the cooperative, approves strategic direction, and provides policy guidance and oversight. The Board approves LPEA’s annual budget, sets rates, and approves debt issuance, along with other customary functions set forth in the company by-laws.
The CEO will also provide leadership and strategic direction for the affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible distribution of energy to its diverse residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale members. The CEO will have full responsibility for the utility and will oversee all key contractual, operating, financial, and human capital areas and will provide strong, visible, and highly collaborative leadership at all levels. Planning and execution of LPEA’s various lines of businesses should reflect a keen focus on affordable rates, reliable electric service, and excellent customer service.
Qualifications include:
- At least 15-20 years of demonstrated and transformational business success with a track record of increasing responsibilities and accomplishments in cooperative or public power utilities, water, or related industry sectors. Broad exposure to energy transmission and delivery planning.
- Experience with energy resource development and/or management is highly desired.
- High level of numeracy to lead LPEA through a business model transition and the financial implications of that transition. In addition, demonstrated financial management experience with experience in providing successful financial oversight, developing and managing budgets, and understanding complex rate designs.
- Candidacy of executives from outside these industries who have demonstrated visionary leadership and led transformational change within a large, complex organizational environment will also be welcomed. • At least 8-10 years of executive management experience leading an organization with complex business functions, including oversight of large capital projects and fixed physical assets.
- At least 8-10 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary and diverse teams, preferably with union representation.
- Experience working with (or substantive knowledge of) political oversight bodies, independent system operators (ISOs), federal regulatory agencies, consumer groups, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, finance, public administration, engineering, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is strongly desired, but not required.
Compensation: $400,000 - $600,000
Benefits: Generous healthcare and retirement benefits will be provided to the candidate.
To apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to LPEACEO@KornFerry.com by July 12, 2024.
Interested in LPEA jobs? We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
LPEA extends equal opportunity employment to all individuals seeking jobs.
Careers Overview
Working for an electric cooperative is a great career opportunity. Co-ops are looking for talented and resourceful people, and are offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits. Electric co-ops offer you the opportunity to make the most of your abilities in some of the best places to call “home.” People come to work at electric cooperatives because they believe in what they do and receive the satisfaction of knowing that their work directly improves people's lives. America’s electric cooperatives employ approximately 63,000 people nationwide in a great variety of professional, technical, and business positions. Some of the best, brightest, most creative, and dedicated people have chosen to serve their communities and develop their careers through electric cooperatives.
Why work for LPEA?
LPEA is 100% dedicated to providing our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible. We are known for employing the best people in the electric cooperative industry, and every LPEA employee is a member of our member service team serving Archuleta and La Plata counties.
At LPEA, each department views not only those we serve as members, but each LPEA employee is also a member. We expect our employees to address issues in a timely manner, communicate effectively with both members and each other, and look for positive ways to solve problems and support the LPEA Mission and Vision Statements. LPEA fosters a self-motivated environment where managing multiple priorities is essential.
Read about LPEA's cooperative history, mission, and vision.
Plan administration by Meritain - Machine-readable files
Internships
LPEA is committed to offering meaningful internships to students and recent graduates interested in careers in cooperative energy distribution. If you are interested in an internship with La Plata Electric in 2024, please go to our Careers page and fill out the application for the Internship Position.
As an LPEA intern, you will be responsible for a variety of assigned duties, and responsibilities designed to develop skills to prepare for a career within an energy organization. Our desire is for you to test out your area of study, develop additional skills that will benefit you in that area of study, and contribute meaningful work to LPEA’s membership. You may participate in special projects, present data, analyze situations, draw conclusions, and make recommendations when required. You will build relationships with managers, mentors, and peers. You will learn about systems, processes, and professional relationship building.
We require a letter of recommendation from an advisor or teacher and expect to understand how an internship at LPEA supports your education and future career plans.