La Plata Electric Association CEO Mike Dreyspring announced he will retire in September 2019.
Dreyspring was hired by the co-op in 2014 and has lead it through political shifts on the board, the development of solar projects and the aggressive deployment of technology, he said.
He expects his last year will be challenging because the co-op recently formed a committee to explore alternative power supplies to Tri-State Generation and Transmission.
“I’ve got the biggest challenge of my career,” he said.
LPEA’s membership is interested in local renewable generation, and he is excited to work on how to provide the co-op more flexibility to pursue it, he said.
A decision about whether to pursue a buyout from Tri-State may not be made before a new CEO is hired, Dreyspring said. But he plans to help ensure the transition to new leadership is smooth and that the new CEO understands where the co-op is in the process of exploring new energy supplies.
Dreyspring decided to retire to spend more time with his eight grandchildren, who do not live in the area, he said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
