Chief Executive Officer

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association

The Board of Directors at Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is seeking an outstanding leader to assume the pivotal role of Chief Executive Officer for the cooperative. The preferred start date is September 2025 or earlier. 

SDCEA has engaged GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with the search. 

The cooperative seeks a people-focused CEO with strong leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, and proven relationship-building competencies.  The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset to navigate the coming energy transition, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to inspire teamwork while fostering a shared vision for SDCEA’s future.  He/she must demonstrate a firm commitment to working effectively with the board, serving the best interests of the membership, leading with integrity, and cultivating a positive organizational culture.  A clear emphasis on safety is required. 

The CEO will guide SDCEA in achieving excellence across all areas, including organizational culture, safety, service, reliability, member satisfaction, operations, and fiscal strength. Success in this role requires strong leadership abilities and building and maintaining positive relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

The cooperative recently completed a strategic plan to guide the organization successfully into the future. 

About Sangre de Cristo Electric Association  

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association has been serving its members since 1940 and is headquartered in Buena Vista, Colorado.  It was formed by a coalition of community members around a common cause in Central Colorado: to work together cooperatively, share costs equitably, and provide the promise of reliable, safe, and affordable electricity to the region. SDCEA’s nearly 50 employees deliver electricity to more than 14,500 members across Chaffee, Lake, Fremont, Custer, and Saguache counties.   

SDCEA is deeply committed to being a responsible and supportive member of the communities it serves. This dedication is demonstrated through various community-focused initiatives. The cooperative supports youth programs, particularly their involvement in junior livestock sales. Additionally, SDCEA offers scholarships, organizes a Youth Tour to Washington D.C., and supports first responder organizations. The Shine Your Light Program assists community members facing financial hardships with their electric bills. Furthermore, SDCEA employees actively volunteer at numerous community events. 

Seven dedicated directors govern the co-op. They look forward to working collaboratively with the cooperative’s next CEO.   

For additional information about Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, please visit their website at myelectric.coop. 

About the Region 

Beautiful Buena Vista is located in central Colorado near the Collegiate Peaks at an elevation of 8,000 feet.  The impressive Arkansas River runs right through town.  Recreation opportunities abound in the region, which is a wonderful place to live and work. Buena Vista is approximately 90 miles west of Colorado Springs and 100 miles from the southwestern edge of the Denver metro area. 

Central Colorado's economy thrives on diverse industries, including tourism and outdoor recreation, agriculture, mining, healthcare, technology, and research.  

Colorado is celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, world-class outdoor recreation, and vibrant culture.  The state boasts the majestic Rocky Mountains, which attract hikers, skiers, climbers, and adventurers. Tourists flock to the Buena Vista area to enjoy skiing, backpacking, hiking, fishing, and rafting. Colorado’s abundant wildlife is a major draw for nature lovers. At the same time, countless cultural events celebrate the state’s rich heritage and bright future. 

Qualifications 

Required 

Applications from those not meeting the required qualifications will not be considered. 

• Verifiable, successful leadership experience at the Vice President level (or equivalent) or above with an electric utility (We recognize that many utilities refer to those reporting to the CEO/GM as something other than “Vice President.”  In such situations, individuals who are direct reports to the CEO/GM are welcome to apply, and they must be clear that they are a direct report to the CEO/GM in the cover letter or resume.) 

• Excellent leadership and communication skills 

• A clear emphasis on ensuring a strong safety culture and safety outcomes 

• Demonstrated success in building high-performance teams and excellent organizational cultures where employees thrive 

• A focus on delivering an outstanding member experience 

• The ability to build a workplace that aligns with SDCEA’s vision, values, and policies and adheres to federal and state employment regulations 

• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with boards, executive teams, employees, and key external stakeholders 

• Knowledge of electric utility operations, safety protocols, power supply, member needs and expectations, finance, strategic planning, and risk management 

• An understanding of electric utility industry trends, their likely effects on cooperatives, and ways to leverage those trends to benefit SDCEA and its members 

• An understanding of – and an appreciation for – the cooperative business model and Seven Cooperative Principles 

• A commitment to professional growth and development for self and the employees 

• A willingness to travel for meetings at the local, regional, and national levels 

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university 

Preferred 

• Experience at the Vice President level or above within an electric cooperative 

• An understanding of the regulatory, political, and legislative environments facing the electric utility industry 

• Experience with distributed energy resources, rate design, and energy efficiency programs 

• An advanced degree or certification in an area relevant to leading an electric utility, including but not limited to law, management, finance, accounting, economics, or engineering 

Compensation and Benefits 

In addition to a competitive salary (range is $300,000 to $350,000 per year), SDCEA’s new CEO will enjoy the following benefits:  401(k), pension, and 457(b) Plans; medical insurance; long-term disability, AD&D, life, spouse life, and child life insurance; business travel accident insurance; and Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance. Additional offerings include a health savings account, sick and family emergency leave, vacation, nine paid holidays, personal business leave, and funeral leave. The CEO will be provided with a company vehicle. Please note that all benefits are offered at the discretion of the Board of Directors and are subject to annual review. 

Application Process and Deadline 

Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must email a cover letter and resume to Monica Beavers, Director of Client Services at GreatCo-Ops, at [email protected].  In addition to discussing the applicant’s fit for the role, the cover letter must also include the individual’s perspectives on one significant trend in the electric utility industry and how it will likely affect SDCEA, given the cooperative’s unique characteristics. 

Applicants must specify any portion of their cover letter or resume that was written, proofed, or edited in any way by artificial intelligence. 

Professional references and a personality profile will be requested later for applicants progressing in the process.  Prospective finalists will undergo a comprehensive background check and must pass a drug test. 

For full consideration, applications are strongly preferred by March 28, 2025, at 5:00 pm Mountain Time.  However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

SDCEA is an equal opportunity employer.