Chief Executive Officer

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative- Anchorage, AK

The Board of Directors of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) seeks a collaborative and financially focused leader with strong commitment to employees to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. AVEC has retained NRECA Executive Search to assist in this important leadership transition.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a mission-driven cooperative serving some of the most remote and culturally rich communities in the United States. The next CEO will play a critical role in shaping the future of energy delivery across rural Alaska while balancing operational excellence, financial sustainability, and strong member relationships.

About Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), powers communities across some of the most remote parts of Alaska, many accessible only by air or water.  AVEC provides essential electric services to 58 Alaskan communities, where energy is critical to quality of life, economic sustainability, and community well-being.

The cooperative has an annual operating revenue of $74 million and total utility plant of $187 million.   With 90 full time employees and 80 part-time employees, the cooperative operates and maintains 46 power plants, 32 wind turbines, and 500 miles of distribution lines to energize more than 11,400 meters.

Reporting to a 7-member Board of Directors, AVEC’s Chief Executive Officer is responsible for leading the organization, running its operations, managing its finances and staff, executing board policies, and representing the cooperative to members and the broader community, while maintaining a focus on reliability, cost-effectiveness, and cooperative principles.

The Ideal Candidate

AVEC’s mission is deeply tied to the communities it serves, requiring a leader who understands rural Alaska’s unique cultural, economic, and operational landscape.

The successful candidate is both operationally strong and culturally grounded, with the ability to lead in a complex rural environment.

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to lead change and manage risk: Identifies and actively manages change and risk throughout the organization.

• Vision and Strategic Orientation: Takes a broad scale, long-term view, that focuses on the future needs of the organization and members

• Industry Influence: Has extensive knowledge of the industry and uses this knowledge to impact the future direction of the industry.

• Analytical Thinking and Decision Making: Thinks systematically, conceptually, and analytically to determine effective solutions that will enable the co-op to achieve desired goals.

• Process Management: Develops and monitors processes and organizes resources to achieve desired results.

• Exceptional communication skills, both formally and informally: Listens, relates and expresses oneself in a manner that is effective while supporting mutual understanding.

• Respect and Appreciation: Develops and nurtures a healthy culture that leverages the talents of each person and promotes cultural awareness among members.

• Relationship and Team Building: Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams.

• Commitment to Cooperative Values : Acts in ways that put the utility’s values and principles above one’s own personal needs and goals

• Integrity and Courage: Makes decisions and acts consistently with values, professional standards, and the broader interests of the utility

• Strong focus on safety: Upholds and provides focus on the safety standards of the utility.

Experience and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of education and experience preferred.

• Education or Experience in Accounting & Finance, Engineering or Business is preferred.

• At least 5 years of management experience is required.

• CEO or GM experience is preferred.

• At least 5 years of electric utility experience is required.

• Solid understanding of power generation and a strong safety focus is important.

• Understanding of rural Alaska business and culture will set you apart.

• Cooperative or Public Power experience is a plus!

Our Location 

Living in Anchorage means experiencing a lifestyle that blends city convenience with unparalleled access to the outdoors. Residents enjoy stunning mountain views, abundant wildlife, and year-round activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing, just minutes from downtown.

Anchorage offers a strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a diverse cultural scene, along with the unique advantage of shorter commutes and less congestion than most major cities. With its breathtaking natural surroundings and high quality of life, Anchorage is an ideal place for those looking to balance meaningful work with everyday adventure.

The Board requires that the CEO live within 90 minutes of the office, with frequent travel to remote village communities.

Our Benefits

AVEC offers a comprehensive pay and benefit package for full-time employees. The benefit package includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, and both 401K Plan with Employer Matching and Retirement Pension Plan. Paid leave (PTO) starting at 21 days per year along with 8 scheduled paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays and 1 Birthday Holiday.

The salary range for this position is $300,000 to $400,000 per year, based on experience.

AVEC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can shine as brightly as the Northern Lights.  Learn more about AVEC at  https://avec.org/

How to Apply

Ready to lead a talented, committed team working to provide safe, reliable power to Rural Alaska?  If so,  please apply at https://nreca.applytojob.com/apply/qcCtNdQd3K/Alaska-Village-Electric-Cooperative-CEO   with the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume and 3) contact information (including emails) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received by June 2, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Leigh Taylor, NRECA Executive Search, leigh.taylor@nreca.coop.

All replies are confidential.

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