Chief Financial Officer of Arizona G&T Cooperatives

Benson, Arizona

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Inc. (AEPCO) is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative providing wholesale services to its electric distribution cooperative and public utility members in Arizona and other southwestern states. Headquartered in Benson, Arizona, AEPCO operates with its sister organization, Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services (Sierra), under the “Arizona G&T Cooperatives” banner. AEPCO’s members serve several hundred thousand homes, businesses, farms, and ranches across a geographically and economically diverse region that includes chiefly rural and suburban communities.

In addition to power, electric transmission, and energy services, Arizona G&T Cooperatives provide a broad range of operational, professional and administrative services to support the needs of its members. These services include project and business development, finance and accounting, risk management, information technology, engineering support, regulatory compliance, and human resources.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works closely with the Boards of Directors of AEPCO and Sierra, which are comprised of representatives from electric distribution cooperatives and public utility members. The CFO is an essential part of the executive leadership team and is responsible for sound fiscal operation and management over accounting, tax, treasury, budgeting, rates administration, financing, credit analysis, procurement, financial planning, forecasting and reporting. The CFO participates with the senior management team in strategic and tactical planning, offers analysis and recommendations for all major financial decisions to the respective Boards of Directors, and provides guidance, support, and leadership to the employees of the Finance Division in the performance of their responsibilities.

The CFO is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with directors, lenders, auditors, regulators, and other external stakeholders, while stewarding the financial integrity, sustainability, and long-term viability of Arizona G&T Cooperatives. Preferred leadership qualities include long-term strategic planning and a penchant for collaboration, a demonstrated expertise in electric utility finance, capital planning, and rates administration, as well as a strong understanding of the regulatory and economic factors impacting generation and transmission utilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all financial functions, including accounting, tax, treasury, ratemaking, financial planning and analysis, and procurement.
• Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute strategies that support reliable operations, prudent growth, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Ensure robust fiscal policies, internal controls, budgets, and reporting systems that safeguard assets and promote transparency and accountability.
• Lead financial planning and execution for operating and capital programs, including debt issuance, equity management, working capital, treasury operations, risk management, and access to capital markets.
• Oversee rate design, cost-of-service studies, tariff development, and regulatory approvals.
• Manage relationships with credit rating agencies (S&P Global and Fitch) and financing partners to maintain strong investment-grade credit ratings.
• Direct tax strategy and compliance, maintaining the Cooperatives’ not-for-profit status while identifying opportunities to strengthen financial performance.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of finance, accounting, tax, and procurement professionals.
• Present clear, timely, and insightful financial analyses to the Boards of Directors to support strategic and operational decisions.

Strategic Challenges and Opportunities

• Maintaining strong liquidity and working capital to support continuous operations and capital investment.
• Managing debt portfolios, refinancing, and repricing in a dynamic financial and regulatory environment.
• Strengthening financial integrity through cost discipline, efficiency initiatives, and process improvement.
• Supporting long-term resource, capital, and financial planning across generation, transmission, and power supply portfolios.
• Navigating the cooperative governance model while balancing member value, regulatory requirements, and financial stewardship.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, economics, or a related discipline; MBA or Master’s degree with a finance or accounting concentration strongly preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressive utility industry experience, including senior-level financial leadership.
• Strong knowledge of financial markets, institutions, and instruments.
• Familiarity with FERC, RUS, and cooperative or public power business models preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills with demonstrated success presenting complex financial matters to boards and senior leaders.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Measures of Success

The CFO will be evaluated on the Cooperatives’ financial strength, liquidity, credit profile, effectiveness of financial planning and reporting, successful capital financing, and the development of a capable, forward-thinking finance organization that supports AEPCO’s mission and long-term objectives.

Benson, Arizona

Benson, Arizona is a rural community of about 5,500 residents, that combines affordable living, open space, and a friendly atmosphere located along Interstate 10 about 30-40 minutes from Tucson. Known as the gateway to Cochise County, Benson boasts easy access to outdoor attractions like Kartchner Caverns State Park, the San Pedro Riparian area, and “Sky Island” mountain ranges of southeast Arizona, making it ideal for outdoor recreation and weekend exploration. With a lower cost of living than many Arizona cities and convenient commuting to regional job centers, Benson offers people and families a balanced lifestyle with both small-town character and access to urban amenities.

Helpful Web Links

Home Page

Member Page

Compensation, Benefits, and Relocation

AEPCO will negotiate a competitive compensation and relocation package commensurate with candidates’ qualifications and experience. In addition to salary, the cooperative offers an excellent benefits package that includes participation in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) RS defined benefit pension plan and defined contribution 401 (k) plan.

Timeline

1/26 – 2/20      Resumes submittal preference (PDF Format Preferred)

3/2 – 3/6          Semi-finalists virtual interviews

3/16 – 3/20      On-Site interviews

Mid – April     Successful candidate begins employment

About Arizona Electric Power Co-op, Inc.

We are Member-owned, not-for-profit electric generation and transmission (G&T) cooperatives. Working together, our employees fulfill the joint mission of providing reliable, affordable power to electric coops across the Southwest. Arizona G&T Cooperatives provide power to more than 160,000 electric meters and 400,000 people in Arizona, California and New Mexico through six Class A Member distribution cooperatives. One of 63 G&T electric coops in the nation, we own and operate Apache Generating Station near Cochise, east of Benson. The plant has a combined gross generating capacity of 605 megawatts. We also purchase power to meet member energy needs during peak summer energy use. Our transmission system operates and maintains more than 622 miles of electric power transmission line and 27 substations reaching out from our Apache Generating Station, across Arizona to the northwestern corner of the state. We also operate more than 30 telecommunications towers used for phone and data relay services by our member cooperatives and customers.

Connections working at Arizona Electric Power Co-op, Inc.