SPRINGFIELD – The board of directors of Springfield based Prairie Power, Inc. announced today that current President/CEO Jay Bartlett has accepted a new position with Wabash Valley Power Association, a generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Wabash Valley Power is the wholesale electricity provider for 23 electric distribution cooperatives serving cooperative members located throughout northern Indiana, and parts of Illinois and Missouri. Prairie Power serves 10 electric distribution cooperatives in central Illinois. Bartlett will join WVPA in October.
Prairie Power, Inc. Board President Jim Thompson said, “Jay has provided excellent leadership over the past six years during a time of great change for the utility industry. Jay’s leadership has also helped us diversify our power supply portfolio with the addition of the Pioneer Trail Wind Farm near Paxton, the Prairie State Generating Campus and new solar farms near Canton and Shelbyville. His vision for a new smart grid network has also helped us in building a fiber optic communication network and other technology enhancements.”
Bartlett currently serves on the board of directors for Alliance for Cooperative Energy Services (ACES) and the National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO).
Dan Breden was named interim President/CEO. Breden has worked for Prairie Power for 38 years. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Power Delivery. Breden has been involved in many facets of the cooperative’s operations during his employment at Prairie Power, including power delivery and purchasing. Board Chairman Thompson said, “Dan’s knowledge of all aspects of the organization due to his many years of service with PPI, along with his skill set and leadership, will continue the success of the organization.”
Prairie Power, Inc. provides wholesale electricity to 10 electric distribution cooperatives and is a member of Touchstone Energy — an alliance of 750 local, consumer-owned electric utilities around the country. The co-op is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community and the environment.