The Changing Face of OPALCO
OPALCO’s General Manager, Randy J. Cornelius, is preparing to retire this fall after 12 years of service, and the Co-op is in good hands. OPALCO hires the best in the industry to serve our membership and follows a strategic succession plan to prepare for the future. In some cases this results in promoting from within. Assistant General Manager Foster Hildreth, in his ninth year with the Co-op, will step up into the role of General Manager beginning September 1st. This is an exciting transition time and there are a number of positions open as staffing shifts and the new team emerges.
The average OPALCO employee stays with the Co-op for about 12 years and in the last eighteen months, we’ve said fond farewells to Todd Shaner, Superintendent of Operations (33 years); Ginny Reagles, Member Services Representative (18 years); Jim Schubert, Member Services Engineer (10 years); Rex Stickle, Work Order Clerk (9 years) – see profiles on these retirees. There is another round of retirees on the near horizon in Engineering, Operations and Administration. This is a natural ebb and flow that OPALCO plans for – and it’s also a significant changing of the guard.
To replace these retirees, to plan for future transitions and to support the new team, OPALCO has a number of positions open including: Software Specialist, Member Service Engineer, Head Accountant, GIS Technician and – soon – Outreach Coordinator. Open positions and application materials are posted online.
Why do people stay so long at OPALCO? The ideals of a cooperative: fairness, participation, education and concern for community all begin with the member-owner-operators who keep the organization running smoothly. OPALCO pays a fair wage, based on the mid-range for our national utility industry. OPALCO is able to provide excellent benefits by joining cooperative forces nationwide (900+ co-ops across the U.S.) with the National Rural Electric Association and provides opportunities for continuing education and professional growth.
Of the 15 Journeyman Lineman currently on staff, eight were trained through OPALCO’s Apprenticeship Program (another, who pre-dated the formal program, was trained in the ranks). See story about our apprentice program graduates.
The Apprenticeship Program is a four-year statewide program that culminates in an IBEW Journeyman Lineman certificate. When available, openings for the Apprenticeship Program are posted online.
To apply for an open position at OPALCO, find all of the materials you need at www.opalco.com.
OPALCO is an equal opportunity employer.
