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Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation (SLEMCO) Lafayette, LA
The Board of Directors of SLEMCO in Lafayette, LA seeks a strong, experienced leader with excellent communications and relationship building skills to become the next CEO due to a recent retirement. The SLEMCO Board has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process.
About SLEMCO
SLEMCO is a member-owned distribution cooperative serving about 115,000 meters through 59 substations and 11,000 miles of distribution lines to parts of 9 parishes in southwest Louisiana. SLEMCO employs 259 professionals with annual revenue of $294 million with a total utility plant of $639 million.
With over 50% equity and some of the lowest electric rates in Louisiana, SLEMCO has built a solid foundation and is well positioned for the future. SLEMCO presently purchases wholesale power from CLECO Cajun but is in the process of finalizing a new 10-year contract.
SLEMCO is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors and is fully regulated by the LA Public Service Commission.
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be a progressive electric utility professional with demonstrated leadership, management and team building skills committed to cooperative values and the cooperative employees while focusing on the best interest of the members of SLEMCO.
Leadership Competencies
Ability to Lead Change, Manage Risk and Think Strategically: Takes a broad scale, long-term view, that focuses on the future needs of the organization and members while actively managing change and risk.
Strong focus on safety: Upholds and provides focus on the safety standards of the cooperative.
Internal Relationship and Team Building: Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams.
Employee Development: Develops and empowers staff to achieve by advocating training opportunities and employing coaching strategies
Integrity, Courage and Commitment to Cooperative Values: Makes decisions and acts consistently with values, professional standards, and the broader interests of the cooperative
Interpersonal Communication Skills: Listens, relates and expresses oneself in a manner that is effective while supporting mutual understanding
Ability to Positively Motivate and Influence Others: Persuades and motivates others towards an outcome consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values
Results Driven: Achieves results by establishing and maintaining focus on challenging goals and measuring organizational performance against those goals and standards
Understands Distribution Cooperative Specifics including Financial Issues, Operations/Engineering, Member Service/Relations and Power Supply
Experience and Expertise
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Engineering or related field is Advanced degree is preferred.
At least 10 years of electric utility leadership/management experience, preferably with an electric Cooperative, is required.
Previous CEO experience preferred
At least 10 years of electric utility experience, preferably with an electric cooperative, is required.
Experience in electric cooperative accounting/finance, operations, engineering and member relations/services is preferred.
Power Supply and Regulatory experience is preferred.
Involvement with national, state and local organization is preferred.
A commitment to cooperative values is a must!
Our Location
SLEMCO’S main office is located in Lafayette, LA almost equidistant between New Orleans and Houston and 1 hour west of Baton Rouge. The Lafayette metro area is Louisiana’s third largest with a population of about 480,000.
The hub of Acadiana, a region of southern Louisiana that was settled by French-speaking “Acadians” known as Cajuns in the 18th century, Lafayette is known for its Cajun and Creole cuisine, culture, music, festivals and traditions and in 2014, was named the “Happiest City in America”.
The Lafayette area is home to numerous industries like manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family. Close to the Gulf of Mexico, Vermillion Bay and thousands of wetlands and marsh acres, the Lafayette area is a mecca for those who love to boat, hunt, birdwatch, camp or simply enjoy the outdoors.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette - home of the Ragin’ Cajuns - has almost 20,000 students and offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, 27 master’s degrees and 10 Doctorate degrees.
Our Benefits
SLEMCO employees enjoy an excellent benefit package including a regular pension, 401(k) and health insurance plus a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications. Learn more about us at http://slemco.com.
How to Apply
If interested, please apply at https://nreca.applytojob.com/apply/Iwd74B5yRA/SLEMCO-Chief-Executive-Officer with the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume and 3) contact information (including emails) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received by October 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Matheny, NRECA Executive Search, Bob.Matheny-contractor@nreca.coop.
