EnerStar Electric Cooperative appoints new CEO

PARIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Board of Directors for EnerStar Electric Cooperative has made their decision on the new CEO after a nationwide search.

Angela Griffin will succeed Dave Clinton as Chief Executive Officer after Clinton retires at the end of 2024. Clinton joined the company in 2018 and has served as its CEO since 2022.

Griffin will be coming in to take over after 35 years of experience in the cooperative sector and has served in various positions in the co-op, especially in member services and communications. Griffin graduated from Indiana State University and completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative's Management Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin and has completed continued training at the state and national level. Griffin has also served on multiple non-profit boards and currently serves on the board of the Paris Economic Development Corporation.

"During my interview, one question asked was, 'Which of the seven cooperative principles is most important to you?' While I value all of them, Commitment to Community stands out the most to me," said Griffin. "I take great pride in our local co-op roots, our dedication to the communities we serve, and the co-op member-owners," Griffin added that most co-op employees work here and live in the area and that they are equally committed to serving their co-op membership.

One significant project underway at the cooperative is installing a new metering system. "Our existing metering system has exceeded its expected lifespan and has saved us money, but it now requires an update due to software compatibility issues and challenges in sourcing replacement parts," said Griffin. "What's exciting is that the new system will enhance the cooperative's operations and improve member services." Griffin said it would improve reliability, enhance outage communications, and enable the cooperative to offer incentive rates for load shifting, giving members more control of their energy dollars.

Griffin says that members can continue to rely on its core values of safety, stability, and member service as top priorities. EnerStar Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, non-profit serving over 5,200 homes and businesses in Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, and Vermillion counties in Illinois.