chief executive officer - carterbaldwin executive...
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Chief Executive Officer
About Northern NeckNorthern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is a member-owned, non-profit, rural electric cooperative, headquartered in Warsaw, Virginia – situated between the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay in eastern Virginia. . They have been serving parts of Stafford County, King George County, Westmoreland County, Richmond County, Northumberland County, and Lancaster County in the Northern Neck of Virginia, with approximately 18,500 meters and over 2,095 miles of line. NNEC has a staff of 56 employees that handle the distribution of electricity to homes and businesses with reliable electric service since 1938.
Mission StatementThrough the outstanding work of dedicated, competent employees, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is committed to:
• Enhance the value of member ownership.• Provide safe, reliable, affordable electricity and
outstanding member services.• Participate in community activities and
economic development to enhance the quality of life in the region.
In the CommunityA member-owned, locally operated electric cooperative, NNEC demonstrates its support for community throughout the year. As a sponsor of the Healthy Harvest Food Bank, several NNEC employees go into the fields to pick sweet corn in the summer, helping the Food Bank to provide proper family nutrition in the Northern Neck.
Many employees also volunteer to help with logistics, loading and unloading gear in support of Project Hero, a charity bicycle ride from Glen Allen to Virginia Beach. The goal of Project Hero is to restore hope for healing heroes. Participants in the bicycle ride included service veterans and first responders, who are accompanied by supporting riders.
Cooperative Helping Hands, the charitable organization created by the employees of NNEC, also supports the local community. In 2018, Cooperative Helping Hands contributed to the American Cancer Society, the Haven, WRAR’s Christmas Wishes, CASA, Adopt-A-Family through the Social Services Department, Special Olympics, Little Leagues, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, After-Prom events and local YMCAs in the counties that NNEC serves.
About the AreaA short drive from the mid-Atlantic metropolitan areas, one can truly step back in time and experience the road less traveled. From northern Virginia and points west, one can start their driving tour along State Route 3 entering the Northern Neck through its gateway county of King George or head south
from Maryland across the Nice Bridge or from the south east across the Norris Bridge accessing the lower “Neck.” Click here to learn more about The Northern Neck.
6.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members
most effectively and stregnthen the cooperative movement by working together through the local, national, regional, and
international structures.
Seven Cooperative Principles
3.
Members’ Economic
Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of
their cooperative.
4.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are utonomous, self-
help organizations controlled by their markets.
5.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute
effectively to the development of their cooperatives.
7.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable
development of their communities through policy.
2.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic
organizations controlled by their members, whoactively participate
in setting policies and making decisions.
1.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary
organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing
to accept the responsibilities of membership without gender, social,
racial, political or religious discrimination.
The OpportunityThe Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has announced that current CEO, Greg White will be retiring in March 2020 and the Board is seeking his successor. The new CEO will assume leadership of a foundationally strong cooperative and, as the face and voice of NNEC to its employees, member-owners, suppliers and the community, this CEO will use proven leadership skills to cultivate and instill a culture of integrity, teamwork, trust, and innovation into the organization. Thus, the CEO will be an intuitive and highly motivational executive who is a natural leader with an exceptional ability to align the Cooperative’s strategic initiatives with operational objectives and metrics.
Leading and overseeing NNEC with an eye toward a rapidly changing energy landscape, this CEO will implement continuous improvement and forward-thinking vision throughout the organization while protecting assets, fostering employee goodwill, complying with legal and ethical practices, and improving the communities in which the Cooperative does business. As the Cooperative’s top executive, the CEO will be a highly credible and accountable leader both internally and externally and must comfortably and continually reflect the Cooperative’s purpose, values and culture.
While the incoming CEO will have a visible hand in directing the Cooperative and its future, it is critical that the selected leader have the humility and character to know when to listen, ask questions, and show patience. It will be essential that this individual relates to the organization through a high degree of approachability and interpersonal savvy and yet realizes that there are times that the CEO must stand alone in dealing directly and head on with conflict. Equally important will be the CEO’s ability and willingness to engage members and the community at large as NNEC continues to innovate and serve its members while keeping pace with technology and the exceptional service levels that NNEC is known for.
This opportunity requires a proven leader who is an extraordinary communicator and relationship builder connecting equally with both external and internal stakeholders. The CEO must be available and accessible and help drive NNEC to its full potential, leading the cooperative to new heights as one of the highest-performing cooperatives in the country.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for:
• Serving as the strategic leader of the organization who has a vision towards the future – with the ability to investigate, comprehend and interpret innovative and disruptive technologies, risks and opportunities with a strong sense of action and tactics required to position the cooperative in a state of readiness for constant change. Is eager to create and drive towards a bold new vision for the cooperative.
• With the guidance and approval of the Board, developing and implementing the strategy for the short, medium and long-term objectives while also preparing members for a changing future landscape.
• Providing the Board with clear information and transparent reports regarding progress made, and results achieved, so the Board may effectively evaluate such results and the effectiveness of the CEO.
• Reporting to the members and Board of Directors on the condition of NNEC in safety metrics, financial performance, fiscal obligations, government relations, power supply, technology, operations, member and customer relations, regulatory compliance, employee satisfaction, and any other areas affecting operations deemed important by the Board or membership.
• Leading the day-to-day operations and providing the management and financial leadership required to accomplish existing projects, service customers, and achieve performance and growth goals.
• Developing, approving, and implementing operating and safety procedures, plans and improvements to meet established goals, policies, and objectives.
• Building cross-functional relationships across all internal teams and employees through transparency, empowerment, accountability, innovation and continued professional development.
• Attracting and retaining high-performing leaders and future leaders, creating an environment recognized for employee development and future advancement while striving to help NNEC as a premier employer in the industry and across the country.
• Serving as a face to the members while providing resources for cooperative employees to also effectively serve the members all while motivating people to achieve common objectives.
• Establishing an environment of clear, constructive discourse and facilitate processes that ensure productive communication across the Cooperative.
• Providing a strong leadership persona and personal work ethic as a caring, thoughtful problem-solver who is genuinely inclusive and establishes credibility and confidence internally and externally.
• Inspiring others through motivation, negotiations, building effective teams, and managing the vision and purpose of Northern Neck. The selected CEO will act with honor and character by demonstrating a high level of ethics, values, integrity, and trust.
• Serving as the Cooperative representative before legislative bodies and industry associations as appropriate.
• Constructive collaboration among executive team members who are sharply focused on various business initiatives. Recognizing and rewarding successful efforts internally and recruiting as necessary to fill organizational leadership gaps.
Ideal Executive RequirementsEthics and integrity are of paramount importance. The CEO will be well-regarded and recognized as a servant leader who faithfully seeks to do what’s right for people first. The incoming Chief Executive Officer will have a high level of personal integrity and ethical standards with a demonstrated ability to formulate and articulate a strategic vision that will excite, energize and earn the support necessary to achieve strategic initiatives. Other key descriptive qualities include:
• Has a trusted leadership style that is decisive, open and fact-based, with high ethical standards and professional conduct, possessing the competence, judgment and personal commitment that will be expected at Northern Neck.
• Is an extremely polished and effective communicator who can partner effectively with the Board, senior managers, and members as well as industry partners, community 3rd parties and all other stakeholders.
• Brings the Board of Directors very clear, concise and interesting perspectives for each new investment, strategic initiative or growth opportunity. Is able to help create Board meetings where inquiry, curiosity and debate are encouraged and welcome.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal, relationship-building skills allowing for the ability to positively influence all those around her/him; highly proficient at explaining and educating on complex cooperative industry issues.
• Recognized as an exceptionally strategic thinker who can anticipate and interpret change and challenge as actionable opportunities for NNEC to create exciting options and solutions for members.
• Has a keen understanding of the complexities of the political and regulatory landscape impacting the Northern Neck region and its members and can navigate these complexities in a strategic and skillful manner allowing for long term positive outcomes.
• Offers savvy ability to build an enterprise value proposition including innovative branding and marketing of the cooperative through traditional and non-traditional mediums including social media.
• Provides a high level of commitment to organizational success and the capacity to provide creative ideas and problem-solving skills that result in credible business solutions.
• Is a highly innovative, hands-on leader who thinks like an owner of a business. Has an unending passion and quite effectively levers and employs fact-based decision-making process supportable by data and sound decision methodology, including senior team feedback.
• Has deep experience assessing, identifying, hiring, building and developing high performance executive leaders who consistently prove to be c-level capable. S/he will also have experience building effective succession planning processes with deliberate talent development and management strategies.
• Has worked extensively with/for a Board of Directors in a prior role with deep and reputable performance and referencing available.
• A bachelor’s degree is required, an advanced degree (MBA or other Master’s) is preferred.
Contact
Chris GuineyPartner
Mike LittleConsultant
Emerald GrowResearch
Beth MillerSearch Coordinator