Chief Executive Officer

Grand Valley Power

The Grand Valley Power (GVP) Board of Directors is seeking an experienced utility leader to serve as the cooperative’s next Chief Executive Officer upon the retirement of their current CEO after 14 years of service to the organization. The preferred start date is February 2026.

GVP has partnered with GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with this search.

The cooperative is searching for a CEO with exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills. It is vital that the CEO is firmly committed to ethics, safety, and transparency, placing these principles at the heart of their leadership approach. Additionally, the CEO must embody self-awareness and a teamwork-oriented mindset.

The CEO will be responsible for continuing an organizational culture that empowers GVP’s team of approximately 47 employees to excel and consistently deliver exceptional service to their 17,000 members (more than 20,000 meters).

GVP’s CEO will lead the cooperative in achieving excellence in all aspects of co-op performance. This requires strong leadership abilities to cultivate positive relationships with the board, executive team, staff, members, and the wider community.

About Grand Valley Power

Since 1936, Grand Valley Power has been committed to delivering reliable electrical service at an affordable price. Their purpose, Empowering Lives with Hometown Service, highlights their dedication to the region they serve, which includes portions of Mesa, Delta, and Garfield counties in west-central Colorado.

GVP, headquartered in Grand Junction, is the state’s oldest rural electric cooperative. Safety is a foundational principle. In January 2025, they celebrated six years without a lost-time accident. Their members benefit from reliability that is among the best in the state and across the nation. Approximately 50% to 60% of its energy requirements are sourced from renewable resources.

Grand Valley Power exemplifies Cooperative Principle No. 7, Concern for Community, by actively supporting local initiatives and charitable programs. Their bylaws allow the cooperative to donate unclaimed funds to nonprofits that address community needs. GVP also participates in the Mesa County Fair Junior Livestock Auction and invests in education through scholarships and continuing education programs. Every year, they select outstanding high school students from their membership to participate in either the Washington, DC Youth Tour or the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp, fostering future leaders in the Grand Valley.

The cooperative is governed by a team of nine dedicated directors who are eager to work alongside GVP’s next CEO.

About the Region

Grand Junction is the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope. It is the county seat of Mesa County, which has a population of 150,000.  It is the region’s economic, medical, and cultural hub. Situated where the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers meet, in the heart of the Grand Valley, it boasts stunning natural landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and world-class mountain biking. Those seeking a more relaxed experience can explore local art galleries, museums, and a vibrant downtown. Grand Junction hosts the annual Colorado Mountain Winefest in the fall and several art and music festivals throughout the year. The city is also home to Colorado Mesa University, with a beautiful campus in the heart of the city that is home to the fastest growing university in the state.

Western Colorado offers a diverse range of attractions and outdoor activities. You can explore the Colorado National Monument, enjoy wildlife watching in the Grand Mesa National Forest, experience excellent fishing at various lakes and rivers, and hike through the unique landscape of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Additionally, you will experience all four seasons in Western Colorado, from wildflower blooms during the spring, warm summers, beautiful foliage during the fall, and crisp winters.

Several remarkable destinations are within a 2–3-hour drive from Grand Junction. Aspen, a picturesque mountain town, is known for its unparalleled skiing, upscale boutiques, and vibrant art scene. Telluride combines historic charm with outdoor adventure, offering a top-rated ski resort, a beautifully preserved downtown, and renowned summer festivals. Just across the border in Utah, Moab features red rock landscapes and serves as a gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, making it a paradise for hiking, biking, camping, and photography.

Western Colorado’s economy is diverse, with key industry sectors including manufacturing, natural resources, mining, construction, agriculture and livestock processing, energy production, and tourism.

The closest airport is Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT). It is the largest airport in Western Colorado and the third-largest airport in the state. The airport is nine miles from GVP’s headquarters.

Qualifications

Required

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

• Verifiable, successful leadership experience with an electric utility at the Vice President level (or equivalent) or above. 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 direct reports to the CEO/GM in the cover letter or resume
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• An ability to develop a compelling vision and strategic plan that aligns with the long-term goals of the board of directors
• Demonstrated success in building high-performance teams and excellent organizational cultures where employees thrive
• A focus on delivering an outstanding experience for GVP’s members
• The ability to maintain a workplace that aligns with GVP’s vision, values, and policies and adheres to federal and state employment regulations
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively with the board of directors, executive team, employees, members, and key external stakeholders
• An understanding of the regulatory, political, social, and legislative environments facing the electric utility industry in Colorado and nationally
• Knowledge of electric utility operations, safety program development, power supply, member needs and expectations, finance, strategic planning, retail rate strategies, and risk management
• An understanding of electric utility industry trends, their likely effects on cooperatives, and ways to leverage those trends to benefit GVP 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
• A willingness to travel for meetings at the local, regional, and national levels
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, or, alternatively, five years of senior electric utility management experience

Preferred

• A minimum of five years of experience at the Vice President level or above within an electric cooperative
• An advanced degree or certification in an area relevant to leading an electric utility, including but not limited to engineering, management, finance, accounting, economics, or law

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to a highly competitive salary ($280,000-$350,000), Grand Valley Power’s CEO will enjoy the following benefits: Pension and 401(k) with base contributions and employer match totaling up to 7.5% of base pay; medical insurance; long-term disability insurance; life insurance; business travel accident insurance; health savings account (cooperative contributions when parameters are met); 457(b) retirement plan; ten holidays (one selected by the CEO); paid time off (PTO); PTO rollover; a 9/80 work schedule; and a vehicle allowance. 

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 mbeavers@greatcoops.com. 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 GVP, given the cooperative’s unique characteristics and operating context.

Professional references will be requested later for applicants who progress. Finalists will undergo a comprehensive background check and drug test.

To receive full consideration, applications are strongly preferred by August 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

GVP is an equal-opportunity employer.