* Mark Johnston announces retirement
* Virginia Harman named new general manager
* Leadership transition takes effect March 6
(December 28, 2022 – Granby, Colo.) Mountain Parks Electric’s Board of Directors has selected Virginia Harman as the cooperative’s next general manager. Harman, who is currently Yampa Valley Electric Association’s chief operating officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, will officially succeed GM Mark Johnston, who will retire, on March 6.
“We are excited to welcome Virginia to our community and are confident that she is the right fit for Mountain Parks Electric and its consumers,” said Liz McIntyre, President of MPE’s Board of Directors. “The electric industry is in a state of rapid transition which presents opportunities and challenges for us here at Mountain Parks Electric. Even so, going forward, we will keep our focus on reliability, affordability and safety. Virginia comes to us with impressive credentials and is well suited to navigate the path ahead.”
Harman has 17 years of electric industry experience, including 15 years in executive leadership roles. Before her employment at Yampa Valley Electric Association, she was COO and acting CEO of Delta-Montrose Electric Association in Montrose, Colorado. Prior to that, she worked at Glacier Electric Co-op in Montana. Her first full-time job in the industry was with Tennessee Valley Authority.
Throughout her career, Harman has helped lead cooperatives through significant initiatives such as power supply transitions, the development of numerous member programs, launching a retail internet company and promoting successful legislative strategies.
Harman holds a BA in Communications and a Master’s in Public Administration, both from Southern Arkansas University. She expects a smooth transition to the area.
“My family and I have always lived in rural America and community is very important to us,” she said. “We are looking forward to moving to the Granby area and becoming active members of the community.”
She and her husband, Chip, have been married for 20 years, and they have two sons, Percy age 11 and Jude age 9.