— Herron is the electric co-op’s longest-tenured CEO, having served for 26 years —
Falcon, CO – After 26 years of service to the electric cooperative and its membership, Mountain View Electric Association is announcing the retirement of CEO Jim Herron at the end of the month.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the members of MVEA through decades of co-op growth in an ever-changing industry. I am equally grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with family and exploring all that retirement has to offer,” Jim Herron, MVEA CEO, said. “It goes without saying that when I wake-up on July 1 as a fully retired former CEO of MVEA, it will take some getting used to. I have worked in the electric co-op world for over 40 years. It is what I know, and I will miss it.”
Herron started at MVEA in July 1996. Prior to MVEA, Herron worked in various positions, including general manager, at Farmers’ Electric Cooperative in New Mexico. At the time of his start with MVEA, the co-op served over 20,000 members and more than 25,500 meters through more than 4,700 miles of energized line. During his tenure, the co-op has seen unprecedented growth and now serves over 52,000 members and nearly 62,000 meters through more than 6,200 miles of energized line.
“Leading up to retirement, I have been asked what I will miss the most. I keep coming back to the people I have met over the years — co-op members and employees alike,” Herron said. “Maybe it is the proud history shared of working together to bring electricity to rural communities decades ago, or maybe it is the dedication to adopting innovative technologies to better serve our growing co-op communities above and beyond keeping the lights on. Whatever it is, there is something special about being part of an electric cooperative and working with people who are drawn to serve.”
Herron is the seventh CEO to serve MVEA in its 81-year history. He is also the longest-tenured CEO by over 10 years.
“Jim Herron will be sorely missed,” Joe Martin, MVEA Board of Directors President, said. “When you look at all the things that happened to make Jim MVEA’s CEO, I know the good Lord had a hand in that. I have had the privilege and honor to work beside Jim for all his 26 years, and he is not only a wonderful leader, but I’m proud that he is also my friend. I have tremendous appreciation for all that Jim has done for MVEA and the communities he’s served.”
At MVEA’s 81st Annual Meeting of Members at the beginning of June, it was announced that Ruth Marks will take the helm of MVEA starting at the beginning of July 2022. Marks is currently the vice president of transmission maintenance at Tri-State Generation and Transmission, MVEA’s power supplier.
“When one door closes, another door opens. While we are sad to see Jim go, we are excited to welcome Ms. Marks,” Martin said. “Ms. Marks has the knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities to continue MVEA’s success and lead the cooperative and our members into the future.”
Additional information about new MVEA CEO, Ruth Marks, will be published following her official start date.