(LEWISTON, ID) – Clearwater Power Company has named Telly Stanger, MBA, as its new General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He begins on July 29. Stanger replaces K. David Hagen, who has served the cooperative for 40 years and is retiring after 19 years as the General Manager/CEO.
“Telly brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to our mission of providing reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to our members,” shared Tom Hutchinson, President of the Board of Directors. “Throughout the selection process, we prioritized finding a leader who not only possesses the technical expertise but also aligns with our values of integrity, community service and collaboration. He stood out as a candidate who embodies these qualities.”
Clearwater Power’s member-elected Board of Directors collaborated with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Executive Search to help identify and secure Stanger for this critical leadership position. Leveraging their deep understanding of the electric cooperative industry and extensive network, NRECA Executive Search brought a strong candidate pool for the Board to consider.
Stanger joins Clearwater Power from Wireless Construction in Eureka, Montana where he served as a project manager to develop a division of the parent company for telecom construction. Prior to that, he held top leadership positions in the electric utility industry serving as the General Manager/CEO of Lincoln Electrical Cooperative and Rural Propane Services, also in Eureka; Chief Operations/Member Services Officer for Southeast Colorado Power and Southeast Communications in La Junta, Colorado; and Manager of Economic Development and Agriculture at Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative in Willcox, Arizona. He holds a Master of Business
Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He has also completed the Management Internship Program with the NRECA. Involved in the community, he has served on nonprofit, school, chamber of commerce and economic development boards throughout the years.
“He is ideally suited to lead Clearwater Power into its next phase of growth and service excellence,” said Hutchinson. “With a proven track record in the electric industry, we are confident that he will be able to lead our cooperative to new heights.”
“I’m grateful for the appointment and ready to serve the cooperative and its members,” shared Stanger, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity. “I’m eager to work with the Board of Directors and dedicated team of employees to lead Clearwater Power into the future. The cooperative’s legacy and reputation are well respected, and I’m humbled to carry that legacy forward.”
Stanger was born and raised on a farm in rural Southern Idaho and credits his upbringing for his strong work ethic, commitment to the community and strong family values. He added, “Moving back to my home state of Idaho is exciting for me and my wife, Karina, and also our two youngest daughters. We are all looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.”
About Clearwater Power
Clearwater Power Company is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative. The cooperative includes more than 11,500 rural accounts in 11 counties in North Central Idaho, Eastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon and covers a service area of more than 5,000 square miles. Founded in 1937, Clearwater Power purchases carbon-free power to provide its members with safe, reliable and cost-based energy and other energy-related services.
For more information about Clearwater Power, visit clearwaterpower.com.
