Poudre Valley REA CEO Brad Gaskill retires

Brad Gaskill has announced his retirement from Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Inc. (PVREA) effective January 28 after nearly seven years as CEO.

“On behalf of the board of directors I would like to thank Brad for guiding our association successfully through these most difficult economic times. He leaves the co-op in a strong position for the future,” said Board President Thaine Michie.

Gaskill was promoted to CEO on June 4, 2007 and previously served as the Finance/Information Services Manager. Prior to joining PVREA in November 2005 Brad was the General Manager of Valley Electric Association, Inc. in Pahrump, Nev. and also served as the General Manager of Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. headquartered in Granby from 1997 to 2004.

“My personal goals have been to leave behind a financially sound and healthy organization, a reliable electric system and a senior management and employee team properly equipped and prepared to meet the future challenges of the electric cooperative industry and exceed our member/owners’ expectations,” said Gaskill. “To the extent I have been successful in meeting my priority and goals, I have a supportive board and devoted management and employee team to thank.”

The Poudre Valley REA Board of Directors has selected Jeff Wadsworth to serve as the association’s next Chief Executive Officer.

“Two years of careful succession planning by the board of directors for a new CEO demonstrated that Jeff Wadsworth was the clear choice to lead PVREA in the coming years,” said Board President Thaine Michie. “Jeff’s leadership skills and detailed knowledge of day-to-day operations, evolving technologies and fiscal responsibility places the association in the most capable hands possible.”

Wadsworth started his career with the cooperative in 2009 as the Chief Financial Officer and currently serves as Poudre Valley REA’s Assistant CEO. Prior to his career at PVREA, Wadsworth worked for the Nebraska Public Power District, where he was the Accounting and Finance Manager and at La Plata Electric Association, a rural electric utility in Durango, as Controller and Chief Financial Officer. A Colorado native, Wadsworth grew up in Leadville and is a graduate of Fort Lewis College.

“I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity at PVREA and look forward to working with the Board, PVREA employees and the community to build upon the tradition of excellent service to our member/owners,” said Wadsworth. “PVREA provides a critical service to our area and I understand the mission, take the obligations very seriously and look forward to this new position.”