People, variety propel Ken Hildreth’s 35-year career at Associated Electric Cooperative

Ken Hildreth has called the Moberly area home since 1975. This led him to join Associated Electric Cooperative in 1985. His favorite memories during his 35-year career to date are the people, recalling “they are what made the work so enjoyable.”

Hildreth began his career at Thomas Hill Energy Center as an entry-level general utility in 1985. Since 2003, he has ensured procedures and environmental regulations have been followed as a coal yard supervisor. He credits the “diversity of work and the great people” to his long career. As a supervisor, safety is his top priority, and, looking back, he said he is most proud of the eight years his team had no lost-time accidents, which are those serious enough to require an employee to take time off work.

Hildreth took advantage of opportunities to grow professionally and obtained a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration through Associated’s educational assistance program. The initiative reimburses employees for tuition and other course-related fees.

When reminiscing, Hildreth said Associated “allowed me to have all I need and provide for my family, and the retirement savings and pension have been awesome to help me plan for my retirement years.”

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 910,000 members. AECI’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members, including the “Take Control & Save” energy efficiency program, www.TakeControlAndSave.coop. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

An Equal Opportunity Employer and provider/disability/veteran.