The Board of Directors of Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative is seeking qualified candidates for the position of CEO and General Manager to succeed John Richards, who is retiring after 48 years of service to the cooperative. The CEO and General Manager reports to a nine-member Board of Directors that sets policy and approves electric rates for members of Sho-Me Power. A more complete job description is outlined below.
ABOUT SHO-ME POWER
Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative is a generation and transmission electric cooperative owned by nine distribution cooperatives who serve over 170,300 retail customers in southern Missouri. Sho-Me’s power requirements are supplied by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), created by Sho-Me and five other G&T cooperatives in 1961. Headquartered in Marshfield, electrical operations personnel are strategically located at 4 crew facilities. Facilities include Marshfield, Cuba, Richland, and Willow Springs, Missouri. The cooperative has 173 employees, operating and maintaining over 1,840 miles of electric transmission line, operated at voltages from 69 kV to 345 kV, connecting 21 transmission and 135 distribution substations throughout south Missouri.
Sho-Me Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sho-Me Power, provides fiber optic broadband communication services to rural Missouri. Forty-three of the cooperative’s 173 employees are assigned to Sho-Me Technologies which operates over 8,000 miles of fiber optic communication lines and provides services to cell towers, educational institutions, medical facilities, government facilities, and financial institutions in Missouri, with employees strategically based at Cape Girardeau, Cuba, Marshfield, and Willow Springs.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The CEO and General Manager (GM) has ultimate responsibility for providing member systems with affordable and reliable power supply and telecommunication services. The GM has broad latitude authorized by the policies of the Board to develop and implement strategies and tactics that achieve Board objectives. The GM is responsible for planning, construction and operation of Sho-Me Power’s electric transmission system; planning, construction and operation of Sho-Me Tech’s telecommunication business; keeping member cooperatives informed; ensuring strong financial planning and practices; ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations; identifying and managing risks; developing and maintaining strategic alliances and representing Sho-Me Power and Sho-Me Tech locally, regionally, and nationally.
- Develop and recommend comprehensive plans that enable Sho-Me to achieve the Mission and Vision.
- Provide the Board with critical operating information.
- Prepare agenda and related information for Board meetings and assist with guiding the deliberations of the Board.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the Missouri three-tiered cooperative system.
- Direct the development of appropriate policies for approval by the Board to guide the affairs of Sho-Me Power and Sho-Me Tech and ensure the policies are communicated to staff and adhered to by all managers and employees.
- Establish and direct an effective organizational structure, select and delegate appropriate authority to key executives and provide for orderly management succession, development and retention.
- Direct the fiscal affairs of Sho-Me Power and Sho-Me Tech including financing arrangements, margin requirements and operating and capital budgets.
- Provide an environment conducive to obtaining the best commitment and efforts of employees. Assure adequate and equal opportunity for employee compensation, training and career opportunities.
- Represents Sho-Me Power with one of two board seats on Associated Electric’s (AECI) Board of Directors.
CANDIDATES
Candidates must be demonstrated leaders, known to be of the highest integrity and respected among their peers in the industry and in their communities. Candidates must have broad electric utility experience encompassing the areas of operations, finance, engineering, technology, power supply, strategic planning, union/employee relations, member communications, and board relations. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of collaboration and empowering those they lead.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant Experience
- A minimum of ten years of electric utility experience
- Experience within the rural electric cooperative program is preferred
- At least five years of senior management experience (direct report to CEO)
- Objectively measurable leadership accomplishments
- An understanding of the electric distribution and retail perspective
- Community and family focused
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Excellent communication skills
- An understanding of the industry and trends likely to impact Sho-Me and its members
- An understanding of, and an appreciation for, the cooperative business model and Seven Cooperative Principles
- A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with boards of directors, executive teams, and support staff
- The ability to build effective relationships with key external stakeholders
Interested candidates should email a resume, cover letter, and a minimum of three (3) professional references or letters to: Carnahan Evans, PC, c/o Shawn Battagler at Sbattagler@CarnahanEvans.com . Applications will be accepted through August 18, 2023. All inquiries and applications are confidential. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged by email reply. For assistance or questions about the application process contact Shawn Battagler at 417-447-4400.