Wheat Belt PPD- CEO

Sidney, NE
Full Time
Senior Executive
Chief Executive Officer
Wheat Belt Public Power District, Nebraska
 

The Board of Directors of Wheat Belt Public Power District (WBPPD) seek a visionary leader with proven decision making and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong commitment to Public Power/Cooperative values, to become their next Chief Executive Officer. The selected candidate will start in November of 2025. The WBPPD Board has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process.

About Wheat Belt Public Power District

WBPPD’s service territory covers approximately 3600 square miles of the southern portion of the Nebraska Panhandle. With headquarters in Sidney, NE, WBPPD serves approximately 2500 consumers with more than 5050 meters. WBPPD provides service in parts of or all of seven counties including Arthur, Banner, Cheyenne, Deuel, Garden, Keith, and Morrill. They also serve the communities of Dalton, Gurley, Lorenzo, Redington, and Sunol. WBPPD has an annual net revenue of $22.2 million, net plant of $37.8 million, 2360 miles of distribution line, and165 miles of transmission line.WBPPD has an all requirements purchase power contract through Tri-State G&T. With 26 full-time employees, WBPPD operates with a vision to “Deliver Electricity Safely, Reliably, and Efficiently”.

The CEO of WBPPD provides leadership, advice, and assistance to the Board of Directors concerning industry changes, planning, business objectives, and policy needs that will support WPPD’s mission, vision, and values while providing effective guidelines for business operations now and in the future.

The CEO is responsible for creating an environment of respect and appreciation that encourages teambuilding and a cohesive work environment between the board, management, and employees. Additionally, the CEO directs WBPPD’s day-to-day operations and activities, ensuring that the business of the public power utility is conducted in accordance with WBPPD’s bylaws, policies, plans, and business objectives.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a well-rounded leader who will focus on developing and executing the business strategy of the public power utility while focusing on the best interest of the consumers of WBPPD. The CEO is responsible for ensuring the utility delivers high-quality reliable service to their consumers while also ensuring WBPPD has a strong presence and advocacy in the communities it serves.

Leadership Competencies

  • Strong Focus on Safety: Upholds and provides focus on the safety standards of the utility.
  • Respect and Appreciation: Respectfully interacts with others, being mindful of the lasting impact of words and actions.
  • Integrity and Courage: Consistently conducts themselves in a professional and ethical manner of the highest regard.
  • Ability to Lead Change and Manage Risk: Has the ability to lead change and manage risk incorporating high levels of accountability across the organization.
  • Commitment to Public Power/Cooperative Values: Acts in ways that put WBPPD’s values and principles above one’s own personal needs. Must also possess a strong understanding of the functions of a Cooperative power supplier and the G&T relationship, along with the functions and operations of the distribution utility.
  • Results Driven: Consistently demonstrates ability to promote and generate cooperation between the Board of Directors and staff to achieve collective outcomes.
  • Ability and Desire to Develop Others: Demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and development; mentors and coaches direct reports while promoting on-going two-way feedback for all levels of staffing. Possesses strong talent management skills that positively influence and motivate others.
  • Strong Focus on Financial Issues: Fluent with financial metrics and have a detailed understanding of the key financial opportunities as well as financial risks and budget process
  • Analytical Thinking and Decision-Making skills: Thinks systematically, conceptually, and analytically to determine effective solutions that will enable the utility to achieve desired goals.

Experience and Expertise

  • Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred; an advanced degree such as an MBA, or an NRECA Management Internship Program (MIP) completion is a plus
  • Education or Experience in Business Administration, Accounting & Finance, Engineering, or Member Services/Marketing, is preferred
  • 6-10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience is strongly preferred
  • 6-10 years of electric utility experience is preferred
  • GM or CEO experience is strongly preferred but not required
  • Public Power or Electric Cooperative utility experience is strongly preferred and will set you apart from other candidates

Our Location

WBPPD’s main headquarters is located five miles north of Sidney, NE, a town with a population of approximately 6500 people. WBPPD also operates out of two outposts located in Dalton and Oshkosh. The area surrounding Sidney spans from sparkling lakes to the wide-open plains to monumental bluffs. The town boasts of its Art and Culture as well as the markers, museums and storytelling of legendary historical sites of an area of former lynchings, legends, and lawlessness. Sidney offers its residents and the surrounding areas rural healthcare, public schools and the Western NE Community College.

Hot Air Balloon Festivities, Octoberfest, the Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo, golfing, theater, live music, and a local cohesiveness embodies the town and surrounding rural farming and ranching community, creating an amazing close-knit community under their “Giant Sky”. Sidney is located about two and a half hours from Denver, CO and about one and a half hours from North Platte, NE and Cheyenne, WY.

Our Benefits

WBPPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers a generous 401(K) Plan. The Cooperative also offers NRECA medical and prescription, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, and long and short- term disability policies as well as paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Learn more about us at https://www.wheatbelt.com

Our normal business hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, applications must be received by August 1, 2025, and are required to include the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume and 3) contact information, including emails, for 3 professional references. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Brandt, NRECA Executive Search, 701-263-2111 or [email protected].

All replies are confidential.
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