Associated Electric Cooperative promotes four to vice president

SPRINGFIELD, MO -- Associated Electric Cooperative recently announced the promotion of four employees to vice president across the Power Production and Engineering & Operations divisions. The promotions are part of Associated’s leadership talent review process, a strategic initiative designed to support business continuity across the cooperative. 

Brian Ackermann was promoted to vice president, portfolio management. In his role as vice president, Ackermann will focus on analyzing costs and capabilities of future generation opportunities to determine how best to incorporate them into forward planning. He will keep the board and staff informed of future technologies and investments and become an even larger resource for representing Associated with its external strategic partners. 

Nathan Budreau was promoted to vice president, plant operations. As part of Power Production's senior management team, Budreau will relocate to Springfield in summer 2023 and be responsible for the management and coordination of all coal and gas plant operations to ensure the safe, reliable and cost effectiveness of the generation fleet. 

Chris McGeeney was promoted to vice president, transmission planning and services. McGeeney will oversee all transmission and operations planning activities across the Associated transmission system. His expanded role ensures the necessary coordination for the transmission system to be appropriately planned and designed to meet the challenges of real-time and future operations. Other responsibilities include overseeing the development, negotiation and maintenance of transmission related contracts and engagement with adjacent transmission owners and operators. 

Sean Wright was promoted to vice president, construction. As part of the Power Production’s senior management team, Wright will have responsibility for the management and coordination of all new generation construction projects across the Associated system. 

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to a system of six regional transmission cooperatives and their 51 local distribution cooperatives. This cooperative system delivers electricity to 2.1 million member-consumers behind the 935,000 meters served in Missouri, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Iowa. Associated’s mission is to deliver economical and reliable power and support services.  Associated is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.