Southern Missouri electric cooperative names new CEO

provided by Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative

Aaron Wheeler is the new top leader at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative.

An electric cooperative that provides services to south-central Missouri has named a new leader.

Aaron Wheeler was promoted to CEO and general manager at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative effective Jan. 3, according to a news release. He succeeds Dan Singletary, who retired Jan. 2 after a 40-year career with the organization.

West Plains-based HOEC provides electricity to roughly 25,000 meters in Douglas, Ozark, Texas, Shannon, Howell and Oregon counties. The organization operates 4,932 miles of line.

An HOEC employee since 2004, Wheeler has served as assistant manager for the past five years. Wheeler becomes the fifth CEO/general manager in the history of HOEC.

"We have had strong and stable leadership for the last 86 years, and the board has worked closely with Aaron as assistant manager," said Keith Tharp, HOEC board president, in the release. "We know he is the right person for the position as we move forward and continue the growth of the cooperative. We are proud to have him leading the team."

Wheeler said in the release that his experience with the utility provider would be instrumental as he takes over as its CEO. He pointed to his work developing and establishing the first retirement of patronage capital to HOEC members, referring to margins the cooperative earns after paying operating expenses, which are then allocated back to members based on usage.

"I want HOEC to be a cooperative that continues to increase member engagement and serve members with reliable electricity and value-added services," Wheeler said in the release.

HOEC's latest operations statement on its website points to 2024 operating income of $50.5 million, with operating expenses at $49.3 million.