CEO, Business

General Manager & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) seeks a highly experienced executive to lead the organization and guide it through an increasingly complex environment involving power supply strategy, transmission development, economic growth, regulatory relationships, large-customer engagement, organizational expansion, and long‑term infrastructure planning. The successful candidate will possess the strategic sophistication necessary to lead a rapidly evolving energy enterprise while never losing sight of the cooperative's fundamental responsibility to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to its member‑owners.

Ideal candidates must offer evidence of many of the following qualifications and experiences:

• Significant senior leadership experience within an electric utility, cooperative, public power organization, transmission provider, power marketer, or similarly complex infrastructure enterprise.
• Demonstrated experience with power supply strategy, wholesale energy procurement, transmission strategy and planning, resource adequacy, or related energy portfolio management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating, structuring, and managing complex commercial, power supply, transmission, economic development, infrastructure, or other high‑value transactional agreements. A leader capable of balancing opportunity and risk while protecting the interests of cooperative members through sophisticated business judgment and effective negotiation.
• Experience working with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) or a comparable federal or wholesale power organization.
• Proven success overseeing major capital infrastructure programs, including substations, transmission facilities, system expansion, and other utility investments.
• Experience managing relationships with sophisticated commercial, industrial, institutional, or large‑load customers and representing the organization in complex negotiations and strategic discussions.
• Demonstrated vision to evaluate economic development initiatives, large‑load opportunities, business partnerships, and strategic investment opportunities while accurately predicting and preparing for associated challenges.
• Success leading workforce talent initiatives, organizational growth, and talent management while maintaining a strong culture, workforce engagement, and customer‑focused values.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a governing board and support informed decision‑making through proactive communication, judgment, and collaborative leadership.
• Strong financial and business management skills, including budgeting, long‑range planning, capital allocation, enterprise risk management, and organizational performance oversight.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required; an advanced degree in business or a related field is preferred.
• Experience and accomplishment within a rural environment would be beneficial to candidates along with a respect and appreciation for the electric cooperative business model are desired.

UEC offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employees’ financial security, health, and work‑life balance. Benefits include employer‑funded retirement programs with a 401(k) contribution and pension plan, medical/dental/vision coverage, life and disability insurance, generous leave benefits, and a post‑retirement health reimbursement arrangement. Employees also enjoy a four‑day workweek, paid holidays, vacation accrual, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and community engagement opportunities. UEC will cover the customary costs to relocate external hires.