RALEIGH, N.C. —North Carolina’s electric cooperatives’ Board of Directors has named Richard (Rick) K. Thomas, Senior Vice President of Strategic Services and Assistant General Manager, to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. He will succeed Charles (Chuck) W. Terrill, who led the company since 1995 and recently announced his retirement.
North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) Board President Ron McElheney stated, “Chuck Terrill has served the membership of the electric cooperatives with great distinction and has prepared staff for a successful transition.” McElheney continued, “Rick possesses the knowledge and talent to continue to move this company forward in order to meet the energy needs of our member-consumers. We look forward to working with him in his new position as we strive to meet future challenges in today’s turbulent energy markets.”
Thomas has held several positions with North Carolina’s electric cooperatives over the past 10 years. His day-to-day management responsibilities have included finance, power supply, information technologies and strategic planning activities. Thomas has held numerous positions within the electric utility industry, bringing more than 20 years of experience and leadership to the organization. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has developed considerable expertise in corporate management and business systems strategies. Prior to his employment in North Carolina, Thomas was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Northeast Texas Electric Cooperative in Longview, TX.
“This company has a rich history in this state, working hard to provide its members with the most reliable power at the most affordable cost. I look forward to continuing that mission,” said Thomas, after the Board President announced his appointment.
Thomas hails from Nacogdoches, Texas. He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He and his wife, Suzanne, have five children and reside in Wake Forest, NC.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives include the 27 distribution cooperatives across the state; North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, the nation’s second largest generation and transmission cooperative; North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives (NCAEC), the trade association that provides services to the 27 distribution cooperatives; and Tarheel Electric Membership Association, Inc.(TEMA), a cooperative providing central purchasing and materials supplies for the 27 distribution cooperatives. All three organizations are located in Raleigh, NC.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.4 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties, primarily in the rural areas of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 92,000 miles of power lines, the most of any electric utility in North Carolina.