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Management & Staff

MANAGEMENT

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Phillip Cook

Phillip Cook, CEO/General Manager

CEO/General Manager


Company Hire Date:               2020
GCEC Member Since:            2018
GCU Member Since:              2018

Other Duties:

Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA) Executive Board – (2013 - present)

Background:

Education:    - Bachelor of Science Business Administration (Western International University)
Career:          - USMC
                       - Denver International Airport (1992-1995)

                       - Retired as the Director of Technology Central Arizona Project (1996-2019)

                       - Assistant General Manager ( February 2020 to January 2021)

                       - CEO/General Manager (January 2021 to present)

Family:            He and his wife Becky have 3 daughters, 1 son and 1 grandchild

Than Ashby

Administrative Services Manager/CFO

Administrative Services Manager/CFO


Company Hire Date:              2007
Admin. Services Hire Date:   2016
CFO Designation Date:         2018
GCEC Member Since:           2007
GCU Member Since:             2007

Other Duties:

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Cooperatives day-to-day accounting functions. Manages the month-end and year-end financial statement, closing process and coordinates financial audits. Manages all administrative departments.

Background:

Education:      - Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (Arizona State University)
Career:           - GCEC Office Manager (2007-2016)
                       - UPS Operations and Finance Supervisor (1999-2007)

Family:            He and his wife Anetta have 6 children.

Trent Bingham-Line Superintendent and Electric Department (Line Crew)

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The electric department (Line Crew) is headed up by Trent Bingham (Electric System Superintendent), with Myles Ray and Mitch Brown as crew foremen.  Trent started with the coop in 2001 as a journeyman lineman.  Myles Ray began his career in 1993, with Mitch Brown starting in 2006. There are primarily two Line Crews which are on call 24/7.  The primary responsibility of the Line Crew is to "keep the lights on" for all Cooperative members.  All employees in the electric department take great pride in their work as they construct and maintain electric distribution lines all over Graham County.  They must do this in a safe and efficient manner.  No matter what the weather conditions are, you can be assured that the Line Crew is dedicated to restoring power as soon as possible.  The line crews consist of: Trent, Myles, Mitch, Ryan, Victor, Jacob, Chris H, Shane, Jesus, Kendall, Fernando, Preston, Chris O and Garrett.


Wes Reidhead-Gas & Water System Superintendent & Gas/Water Department Crew

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The gas/water department is supervised by Wes Reidhead (Gas/Water System Superintendent), in which he started his career in 1998. While there are a limited number of employees that work in this department, they have the big responsibility of constructing and maintaining natural gas and water lines located in many parts of Graham County. Safe and reliable gas and water service is the number one priority. You can be assured that our gas and water department will be there to respond to any gas or water emergency and restore service in a timely manner.  The gas and water crew consists of: (L-R) Manny, Quentin, Juan, Ethan, David, and Eben.


Randy Hawkins-Supervisor & Meter Department

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The meter department is headed up by Randy Hawkins (Meter Department Supervisor & Purchasing Agent). Prior to starting his career with GCEC in 1989, Randy had worked for Graham Utilities since 1988.  It takes a lot of work to read over 15,000 electric, gas, and water meters located all over Graham County each month but this is what our meter department does. The department is also responsible for changing out old meters and other service work such as meter testing, disconnects and reconnects. They also look to make sure that your utility service is working as it should. Each employee takes great pride in making sure that the readings are accurate and timely.  The meter department includes: (L-R) Jason, Jeannie, James, Randy, Briana, Lynette, Julie, and Curtis. 


Kim Larkey-Office Manager & Office Staff

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The office staff is managed by Kim Larkey (Office Manager).  Kim was raised in the Gila Valley and joined GCEC in 2015 after retiring from the City of Safford for 38 years.  Some of the responsibilities of the office include billing, payment processing, member services (connect & disconnect service), accounts payable, payroll, accounting, regulatory compliance, human resources, after-hours dispatch and many other duties.  It's amazing the number of "hats" that we all wear as part of the office staff but we do it with great pride and appreciation to all our members for supporting us as your electric, gas, and water distribution cooperative. The office staff includes: Ann, Jody, LaDawn, April, Tracy, Francyne, and Chelsea.


Diane Junion - Human Resources, Administrative Assistant, Benefits and Communications Manager

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Diane Junion provides administrative assistance to the Board of Directors and Management Team.  She manages, implements and administers employee benefits, along with employee policies and procedures.  In addition, she develops, manages and coordinates communications plans and programs including publications, media, audio/video production, maintains the social media platforms and cooperative events.


J. Grant Walker, Attorney at Law

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Areas of Practice

Extensive experience in Estate Planning; Probate; Personal Injury; Business contracting; Commercial transactions; Real estate; Real estate finance; and Landlord/Tenant litigation.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Brigham Young University Law School.  Graduated Cum Laude in April, 1981, Full Tuition Merit Scholarship.  BYU Law Review Article Editor.
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, Brigham Young University.  Graduated summa cum laude (GPA 3.96 on 4.0 scale) as Valedictorian of the College of Humanities.

Lawfirm Affiliations

  • Owner, J. Grant Walker, PLLC, (January 1, 2013 - Present)
  • Equity Shareholder, Jackson White, P.C., (Jan. 1996 – Dec. 2012)
  • Partner, Kempton, Jarvis, Decker, Jenkins & Walker, Mesa, Arizona, (1989 - 1995) 
  • Associate with Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite, Phoenix, Arizona, (1986 - 1989)
  • Associate, Wentworth & Lundin, Phoenix, Arizona, (1981 - 1986)

Humanitarian Activities

  • Founder and President of Families Helping Families, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation, dedicated to aiding families and individuals in the Third World.  Leader of 16 week-long international service missions to Honduras and Mexico.
  • Co-founder of the BIT service-for-education business school movement.
  • Former Chairman of the Board of One Life At A Time – Esparanza, a 501(c)(3) charity that currently operates BIT business schools in Central America.

Personal

Married to Victoria Pier Walker, 11 children.  Interests include church and community service, and international travel.

Additional Management Team Information

Rusty Sherman, Operations Manager

Company Hire Date
January 1991
Operations Manager
January 2017
GCEC Member Since
1997
GCU Member Since
1997

Other Duties

  • Manage Operations for Transmission and Distribution Systems
  • Oversee Distribution Substations
  • Oversee all Contractor work and Special Projects
  • Journeyman Lineman

Background

Education:

  • Graduate of Thatcher High School
  • Attended Eastern Arizona College & Central Arizona College

Career

  • Gas crew and certified welder (1991)
  • 3 year Lineman Apprenticeship (1992 to 1995)
  • Line Foreman (1997 to 2007)
  • Assistant Line Superintendent and Line Superintendent (2007 to 2016)

Family

He and his wife Brenda have 4 children and 6 grandchildren

Brent Wiltbank, Safety & Loss Control Coordinator

Brent Wiltbank started his career with GCEC in 1999 as a groundman for the line department.  In his tenure with GCEC he has worked in the GIS Department.  In 2016, Brent created the Safety and Loss Control Department. He obtained required safety trainer certifications and CLCP credentials.  Brent coordinates, produces and manages job training for all safety and loss control programs for all coop employees.  He has also provided safety training for neighboring utilities.  He also provides OSHA required safety training and reports monthly safety information and activity to the Board of Directors.  

Jenny Howard, Compliance and Special Projects Manager

 

Hire Date February, 2018

26 years utility experience

GCEC/GCU member since 2003

 

Career History:

City of Safford

Utility Director: 2014-2018

Public Works Director: 2012-2014

Special Projects Manager: 2004-2012

 

Power Engineers, Inc. 1992-2004

High Voltage Transmission/Distribution

Projects Controls/Construction Management

 

Education:

College of Southern Idaho

Eastern Arizona College

Baker College: Associates in Business Administration

 

Humanitarian Activities:

  • Past Board Member Graham County Chamber of Commerce
  • Member Safford Downtown Association
  • Local Business Owner
  • Grant Writer for Graham County Drug Coalition
  • Board Member/Secretary Southeastern Arizona Community Action Plan
  • Council Member, Thatcher Town Council

Family:

Husband John and Jenny have 8 children and 19 grandchildren

Clint Woods, GPS/GIS Specialist

Clint Woods has the responsibility to create, update and maintain drawings, maps and facilities records using automated methods.  He operates and maintains the GIS/GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) which includes collecting and managing all physical assets for all three systems; electric, gas and water.  He builds maps for the crews and provides information to other utilities, engineering firms and regulatory agencies, as well as assisting management with data relevant to various projects.  Clint has been with GCEC since 2005. 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Information
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Cooperative History and Purpose
    • Governance and Directors
    • Management & Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Statistics
    • Audited Financial Statements
    • Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • News & Events
      • Currents Magazine
      • Graham County Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting
      • Graham County Utilities Annual Meeting
      • GCEC Foundation Received funds
      • Press Releases
      • Public Notices
  • Connect My Utilities
  • Member Service
    • Capital Credits
    • FAQs
    • Operation Round-Up®
    • Payment Options
    • Utility Rates & Tariffs
  • Energy Programs
    • Energy Efficiency Programs
    • Solar Renewable Energy
    • Together We Save
  • Community
    • Rural Economic Development
    • Scholarships
    • Washington Youth Tour
  • Safety
    • Safety
    • Gas Safety
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Storm Center
  • Resources
    • Form Links
    • Action.coop