The Board of Trustees at Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative (RHEC) is actively seeking a visionary, principled, and innovative leader to assume the pivotal role of Chief Executive Officer and General Manager (CEO/ GM). The preferred start date is May 2026.
RHEC has partnered with GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with the search.
The cooperative is seeking a CEO/GM with exceptional leadership, strong communication skills, and a proven ability to build and sustain relationships. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset and a collaborative approach to shaping a unified vision for RHEC’s future. This individual will be responsible for cultivating an organizational culture that empowers RHEC’s more than 40 employees to thrive and deliver exceptional service to members.
The CEO/GM must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to integrity, safety, and the cooperative principles that guide Rolling Hills Electric. These values should underpin their leadership, ensuring decisions are made with transparency and accountability in mind. Equally important, the CEO/GM should embody self-awareness and foster a spirit of teamwork that strengthens the organization and enhances the quality of life for the members and communities it serves.
In leading RHEC, the CEO/GM will be responsible for driving excellence in organizational culture, safety, service, reliability, operations, and financial performance. This work demands collaborative leadership and the capacity to cultivate strong relationships with the board, employees, members, energy providers, the wider community, and other stakeholders.
About Rolling Hills Electric
Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative serves members from its headquarters in Beloit, Kansas, and is committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. As a member-owned, mission-driven organization, Rolling Hills exists to improve its members' quality of life by delivering dependable energy solutions, guided by a vision to lead with innovation and integrity. Joining Rolling Hills means becoming a part of an organization that values teamwork, service, and forward-thinking leadership.
Today, Rolling Hills Electric is more than a utility provider – it is a cornerstone of north central Kansas, serving 11,430 meters and operating more than 6,400 miles of line across 16 counties.
RHEC’s dedication to the community is evident through investments in local youth – such as scholarships, the Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., and Youth Leadership Camp – and through community and economic development efforts, including low-interest loans that support business growth, job creation, and community projects.
Ten highly engaged, committed, and experienced trustees govern the co-op. They look forward to working collaboratively with the cooperative’s next CEO/GM to build on RHEC’s legacy of excellence.
For additional information about Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, please visit their website at https://rollinghills.coop.
About the Region
Beloit, Kansas, serves as the county seat of Mitchell County. It is situated along the Solomon River in the Smoky Hills. Beloit is surrounded by rolling prairies and the distinctive limestone “Post Rock” formations that reflect the area’s pioneer heritage. Its location – roughly 100 miles north of Wichita and 150 miles west of Topeka – offers both the quiet of small-town living and access to larger metropolitan centers.
The local economy is built on a strong foundation of agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Farming and ranching remain central to the region. Healthcare services through Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems ensure quality care close to home, while small manufacturing and service businesses contribute to a resilient and diversified economy.
Community life in Beloit is marked by tradition and pride. The Mitchell County Fair is a highlight of the year, bringing together residents and visitors for livestock shows, rodeo events, parades, and local arts. Beyond the fair, Beloit hosts festivals, sporting events, and cultural gatherings that reflect the welcoming spirit of rural Kansas. These traditions reflect the welcoming spirit of rural Kansas. For additional background on Mitchell County’s communities, history, and local services, you can visit the county’s website, Mitchell County, Kansas.
Outdoor recreation is another hallmark of the region. Just west of Beloit lies Waconda Lake, featuring boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Solomon Valley offers opportunities for hunting, hiking, and exploring historic landmarks tied to Native American heritage and pioneer trails. Residents enjoy the balance of small-town life with access to natural beauty and adventure.
Beloit offers the opportunity to lead in a thriving rural community while enjoying the benefits of small-town living, strong community ties, and access to Kansas’s natural beauty. It is a place where professional leadership meets quality of life – an ideal setting for those seeking purpose and balance.
Travel connections are convenient, with Manhattan Regional Airport located about 95 miles southeast, offering direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago. Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, approximately 160 miles south, provides broader domestic and international options.
Qualifications
Required
Applications from those who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.
Verifiable, successful leadership experience at a supervisory level or above
A clear emphasis on ensuring a strong safety culture and safety outcomes
Excellent leadership and communication skills
Demonstrated success in building high-performance teams and excellent organizational cultures where employees thrive
A focus on delivering an outstanding member experience
The ability to build a workplace that aligns with RHEC’s vision, values, and policies and adheres to federal and state employment regulations.
A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with boards of trustees, executive teams, employees, and key external stakeholders
An understanding of – and an appreciation for – the cooperative business model and Seven Cooperative Principles
A commitment to professional growth and development for self and the employees
A willingness to travel for meetings at the local, regional, and national levels
Note: The CEO/GM will be required to live within the service territory of Rolling Hills EC
Preferred
Verifiable, successful leadership experience at the Vice President level (or equivalent) or above at a utility
An understanding of the regulatory, political, and legislative environments facing the electric utility industry
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Knowledge of electric utility operations, safety protocols, power supply, member needs and expectations, finance, strategic planning, and risk management
An understanding of electric utility industry trends, their likely effects on cooperatives, and ways to leverage those trends to benefit RHEC and its members.
Compensation and Benefits
In addition to a highly competitive salary, RHEC’s new CEO/GM will enjoy the following benefits: a retirement savings plan (pension) and 401(k); medical and dental insurance; long-term disability insurance; term life and AD&D insurance; business travel insurance; a flexible spending account; eight paid holidays plus one floating holiday; vacation, sick, and bereavement leave; employee development opportunities; and a company vehicle.
Application Process and Deadline
Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must email a cover letter and resume to Monica Beavers, Director of Client Services at GreatCo-Ops, at mbeavers@greatcoops.com. In addition to discussing the applicant’s fit for the role, the cover letter must also include the individual’s perspectives on one significant trend in the electric utility industry and how it will likely affect RHEC, given the cooperative’s unique characteristics.
Professional references will be requested later for progressing applicants. Finalists will undergo a comprehensive background check. The selected candidate must also undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.
Applications are preferred by January 30, 2026, at 5:00 pm Central. However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
GreatCo-Ops is a professional services firm focused exclusively on creating higher performing electric cooperatives. We help co-op leaders thrive in their roles and create organizations with healthy cultures that deliver unsurpassed member satisfaction. We work hard to earn the trust and respect of our clients by combining a strategic mindset, decades of experience, an obsession for unrivaled service, and an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct.
Our seasoned team leverages experience-tested, data-driven techniques and tools to give our clients powerful new insights they can use to solve their cooperatives’ greatest challenges. Our services include strategy consulting, risk management advisory, governance assessments, leadership development programs, executive coaching, executive search, employee surveys, member experience consulting, data analytics, and related offerings.
