Kevin P. Owens, who has led Beartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) as its general manager since 2017, will retire on June 30, after 46 years in the electric utility industry.

“It has been a wonderful experience leading this innovative electric cooperative over the past six years. It has been a privilege and honor to serve BEC’s members. I am proud of all we have accomplished as a small yet mighty cooperative utility,” said Owens. “It has been a special honor to work alongside BEC’s dedicated staff, who are tireless in their efforts to keep the power on in this rugged and rural terrain.”

“On behalf of BEC’s board of trustees and membership, I thank Kevin for the energy and skills he has contributed to our Co-op over his tenure,” said Jim Neu, president of BEC’s board of trustees. “Kevin has the special ability to work with everybody, and he is widely respected by our lenders, state regulators, policymakers, utility industry associates, and of course, our membership. We appreciate and have greatly benefited from his years of leadership and vision.”

Neu noted, “Hiring a general manager is the most important decision that a board makes, and we take this responsibility as a challenge to build on Beartooth’s reputation and enhance its future performance for our members. We would like to assure the employees and the membership that we are doing everything in our power to identify not only the best technically capable individual, but the best person to lead the co-op and represent Beartooth Electric Cooperative in the community and in our industry. That is our goal and responsibility to you.”

The Beartooth Electric Cooperative Board has contracted with NRECA’s Executive Search group to facilitate our GM search process. We encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position.