CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – Fairfield, MT

Job Description

The Sun River Electric Cooperative (SREC) Board of Directors is seeking an experienced leader to serve as the cooperative’s next Chief Executive Officer. The preferred start date is early May 2027.

About Sun River Electric Cooperative
SREC operates in eight counties in west-central Montana. The co-op has 2860 miles of line serving more than 3450 members with 6350 meters. The CEO manages a staff of 22 office and line personnel. SREC has operating revenues of $14 million and a total plant of $66 million. SREC is a large summer-peaking cooperative with more than 1200 irrigation accounts. SREC's headquarters is in Fairfield, Montana, with lineman outposts in Conrad and Highwood. The incoming CEO will assume leadership of a financially and operationally strong organization.
SREC's service area is located along the beautiful eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front. Fairfield is an agriculture community of 750 people. Bordering the Rocky Mountains and Bob Marshall Wilderness, and being a short drive to Glacier National Park, our location is ideal for activities such as hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. Fairfield has a public golf course, numerous small businesses, a strong K-12 school system. Montana's third-largest city, Great Falls, is 35 miles away and is served by a modern international airport.

The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be a member focused, electric utility leader who demonstrates the ability to effectively plan, organize and direct day-to-day operations while carrying out the strategic vision and mission of the cooperative. Broad knowledge of electric utility functions, including engineering & operations, accounting & finance, and member services is required. Knowledge of power supply issues, especially in the current regulatory environment, is important. The successful candidate will ensure the cooperative safely delivers high-quality, reliable service while also maintaining a strong presence and community advocacy throughout the service territory.

Required Qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or a minimum of five years of leadership or management experience within an electric utility, preferably an electric cooperative
• Verifiable, successful leadership experience with an electric utility
• Proven and effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability and experience in developing and executing a compelling vision and strategic plan aligned with Board goals
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, staff, employees, members, and external stakeholders continued…
• Strong knowledge of electric utility operations, safety protocols, power supply, member services,
finance, strategic planning, and risk management
• Understanding of electric utility industry trends and the ability to leverage them to benefit cooperative
members
• Knowledge and appreciation of the cooperative business model and the Seven Cooperative Principles
• Proven success in building high-performing teams and positive organizational cultures
• Ability to maintain a workplace aligned with SREC’s vision, values, and policies while complying with
federal and state employment regulations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Willingness to travel for local, regional, and national meetings
• As per Board policy, the CEO must live within 30 minutes of the Fairfield headquarters. The successful
candidate must live or relocate within a reasonable period of time as determined by the Board of Directors.

Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree or professional certification relevant to electric utility leadership, including
engineering, management, finance, accounting, economics, or law
• A minimum of five years of work experience that includes supervisory and management responsibilities,
preferably within an electric utility or cooperative. The candidate should clearly indicate their specific
supervisory and management duties in the cover letter or resume.

Application Process and Deadline
Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must submit a cover letter, resume and three (3)
professional letters of reference, a written response to the following; “Write a hypothetical letter to Sun River
Electric Cooperative members communicating a significant rate increase”, a maximum of 500 words, and also
include the formal employment application.

Final candidates will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive background check and a preemployment
drug test.

To receive full consideration, applications are due by December 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Questions may be directed to Board President Mitch Johnson at mwjinsure@yahoo.com or 406-590-9100.
Completed applications must be emailed to mwjinsure@yahoo.com by the due date.

More information about SREC may be found on the website at https://sunriverelectric.coop
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Sun River Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits Information

In addition to a competitive salary, SREC’s new CEO will also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that
includes a 401(k); health, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation and sick leave.

The competitive base salary may be adjusted depending on the experience of the successful candidate.