Oelkers Selected CEO For Tongue River Electric

Tongue River Electric Cooperative introduces Nick Oelkers as chief executive officer and general manager effective April 22.

Oelkers assumes the position following the retirement of the cooperative’s long-time CEO Tary Hanson.

After an intense and competitive hiring process, the TRECO board of directors selected Oelkers at its February meeting. The Culbertson native brings a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Montana State University, as well as a masters of business – energy management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.

Formerly director of engineering for Sheridan Electric Cooperative in Plentywood, Oelkers brings a wealth of engineering and cooperative experience to Tongue River Electric, which serves more than 2,700 customers in Big Horn, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Powder River, Prairie and Rosebud counties.

Oelkers and his family are excited to join the communities of southeast Montana and are looking forward to meeting TRECO members throughout the area. He has worked his entire career in the cooperative world and believes in the cooperative business model.

Communication and member engagement will be his top priority, along with voicing concerns of the membership at both the state and national levels. He has the knowledge and experience necessary to lead TRECO through a complex energy landscape.

Oelkers begins April 22, and will lead TRECO’s dedicated team in continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to southeast Montana.