General Manager/CEO at Lake Region Electric Association, Inc. in WEBSTER, South Dakota

Job Description:

The Board of Directors for Lake Region Electric Association, Inc. (Lake Region Electric) invites applications for the position of General Manager/CEO. This position will be vacant when the current long-term General Manager/CEO retires in early September 2024.

This executive leadership role reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day management, administration, and operation of the Cooperative. The successful candidate will have excellent people skills and a passion to develop and lead the strategic vision for the Cooperative.

Candidates should have a broad knowledge of utility operations and have proven leadership, communication, management, and technological skills necessary to lead the Cooperative. A strong commitment to serving the member-owners and the ability to work effectively with the 7-member elected Board of Directors, while providing positive leadership to the employees, is required. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to cooperative principles and the core values of innovation, accountability, commitment to the community, and integrity to serve the needs of our members today and in the future.

Our Cooperative

Lake Region Electric was established by local farmers, businessmen, and rural residents in 1941 to provide their communities with vitally needed electric service and to make a better life for its members. The founding organizers understood the Cooperative business model would be the best way to provide this service to the member-owners and to accrue the benefits consistently and uniformly. Today, Lake Region Electric continues its mission to provide affordable, reliable electric service to its member-owners and improve their economic and social standards.

Lake Region Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative located in Webster, South Dakota. The service area covers 2,180 square miles and includes all of Marshall and Day counties and the western portion of Roberts County. Lake Region Electric delivers high quality, low-cost electric service to approximately 2,700 member-owners through 1,653 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines. The Cooperative has a dedicated workforce of 22 employee, annual revenues of $18.5 million and a utility plant of over $44 million. Lake Region Electric is a member-owner of East River Electric Power Cooperative and is a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative. As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Lake Region Electric is committed to meeting the highest standards of customer satisfaction. Lake Region Electric does business with integrity, accountability, innovation, and a commitment to the community we serve.

Our Community

Webster, home to the Cooperative headquarters, and the county seat for Day County, is just 55 miles east of Aberdeen and 50 miles from Watertown in northeast South Dakota. Considered a destination for the great outdoors, Webster is a popular location for hunters, fishers, and nature-lovers. Its proximity to several area lakes and the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge offers some of the best year-round recreational opportunities available. These and the region's other great amenities make Lake Region Electric's service area one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.

Key Qualifications and Requirements

• Knowledge of electric utility operations is required and a minimum of five years' progressively responsible experience in a rural electric cooperative, electric utility, or closely associated organization is preferred.
• Experience with labor relations is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership skills that generate confidence and respect among members, cooperative staff, and the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills to help build positive relationships, using a variety of methods such as active listening, communicating thoughts clearly, and applying conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to assess situations, gain feedback in a respectful manner, make decisions, and encourage the leadership team to take appropriate action within their areas of responsibility.
• Proven success in fostering a workplace culture that focuses on safety and embraces operational agility.
• Willingness to be an active member of the community.
• Must be honest and not afraid to act with integrity.
• Possess computer skills and a broad understanding of technology, including experience in using Microsoft Office products and enterprise information systems.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to travel as necessary.
• Degree in an appropriate field of study is desired.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Must establish primary residence within the Cooperative's service territory.

Benefits

Lake Region Electric offers a competitive salary based on qualifications and an excellent benefits package that includes the retirement pension plan offered through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) along with a matching 401(k) contribution. Other benefits include medical insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, long- and short-term disability, and paid time off plans. The General Manager is expected to reside within the Cooperative's service territory and relocation assistance is part of the compensation offering.

Want to learn more about Lake Region Electric? Visit our website: https://www.lakeregion.coop/.

Interested in applying? Apply online and include a cover letter, resume, current contact information, and at least three professional references. Applications accepted through May 19, 2024. Initial screenings to occur during June and final interviews expected in July. Questions should be directed to Liz Avery via email using jobs@lakeregion.coop.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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