Vermont Business Magazine Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC), a rural electric cooperative serving 10,800 households and businesses in central Vermont, is opening its search for a general manager to start in late 2021. Patty Richards, WEC’s current general manager, announced her planned departure in May, and will serve through the rest of the year.
Board president Steve Knowlton said, “We are looking for candidates who uphold the WEC tradition of putting cooperative principles and our member-owners at the center of our strategy.”
WEC was founded 82 years ago as a member-owned electric distribution utility for people and farms left behind by corporate power providers. For years, WEC has been a leader in Vermont’s efforts to transition to green energy with a focus on equity and affordability. Today, it is a key partner in bringing high speed internet to rural Vermont.
While familiarity with the functional aspects of utilities and power supply is important, Knowlton said, equally important is “the kind of engaging visionary leadership that inspires employees, works with an active board, builds relationships with legislators and regulators and interacts constructively with our diverse membership.”
Over the past several years, WEC’s member-owners, democratically elected board of directors and staff have achieved:
• The first 100 percent renewably generated utility energy portfolio in the state
• Development of the state’s first large scale generating facility that captures landfill greenhouse gases
• Adoption of a rate structure that incentivizes renewable electricity by making it more affordable for members
• Ongoing infrastructure improvements to make the central Vermont grid more resilient to climate change
• More than $50,000 in annual donations to local nonprofits through a member-supported Community Fund
• More than $8 million returned to members in the form of patronage credits
Interested candidates are invited to visit washingtonelectric.coop to learn more and to apply.
About Washington Electric Cooperative
Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility founded in 1939. WEC serves approximately 10,800 member-owners in 41 towns throughout Washington, Orange, Caledonia, and Orleans counties with power generated from 100 percent renewable sources. WEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information, please visit washingtonelectric.coop or call 802-223-5245.