The Board of Directors of the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA) seeks a visionary leader with a demonstrated commitment to protecting the federal hydropower system, and who possesses strong interpersonal skills to become the next Executive Director. The CREDA Board has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process.

About the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

CREDA is a membership organization that was formed in 1978 by rural electric cooperatives and public power systems as a 503c(6) non-profit corporation with a mission to preserve and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability, and value of Colorado River hydropower resources while promoting responsible stewardship of the Colorado River System.  CREDA promotes and protects the interests of its members who receive federally marketed Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) hydropower and transmission services from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).

WAPA is one of four power marketing administrations of the DOE.  The CRSP is one of the most complex and extensive river resource developments in the world.  It is a major water management initiative authorized by the 1956 Colorado River Storage Project Act to regulate and store water in the upper basin of the Colorado River, ensuring water supply and hydroelectric power for several western states.  CRSP hydroelectric power is generated at 4 major hydroelectric generating stations operated by the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).  The dams of the CRSP have a combined live storage capacity of 30.6 million acre-feet and power generation capabilities to provide over five billion kilowatt-hours of energy annually.

CREDA is governed by a board of directors representing customers of the CRSP.  The CREDA Board cannot exceed 30 members, and represents a diverse membership of not-for-profit entities, including municipal and cooperative utilities, state agencies, tribes, and irrigation and electrical districts.   CREDA members reside in the Colorado River Basin states of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.  CREDA members serve over four million customers, and each CREDA member has a contract with WAPA for its CRSP resources. 

CREDA has a successful history of service to its members by working to ensure the effective operation and maintenance of hydropower facilities and the associated transmission system, and the recovery of costs through appropriate cost-based rates set by WAPA.

The record of CREDA’s accomplishments on behalf of its membership is impressive.  Some of these accomplishments include:

• Negotiating agreements with the Western Area Power Administration, Bureau of Reclamation, and Upper Colorado River Basin States—resulting in over $380 million in savings to CRSP rates and funding for water improvements.
• Leading the successful completion of post-2004 and post-2024 CRSP Firm Electric Service contract extensions—securing long-term stability for customers.
• Spearheading federal legislation that limited the financial burden of post-9/11 dam security costs on federal power customers.

CREDA has been a major force in defending policies that were enacted by Congress to ensure the benefits of federal multiple purpose water resource development are retained by the public.  CREDA activities have benefited millions of municipal and rural electric consumers, while providing solid support for repayment of the federal investment in the federal facilities in a consistent and timely manner.

CREDA employs one full-time employee and supplements this staff with consultants and support from its membership.  CREDA works in close conjunction with the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the National Water Resources Association, and other organizations to protect the federal hydropower program for its intended purpose.

The Executive Director of CREDA provides leadership, advice, and assistance to the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and various working committees concerning legislative developments, industry changes, strategic planning, business objectives, and policy needs that support CREDA’s mission now and in the future.  The Executive Director is CREDA’s primary spokesperson and represents CREDA in meetings and events with WAPA and the USBR, and with federal legislators.

Our Location

Although CREDA currently maintains an office location in Phoenix, Arizona, the CREDA Executive Director is permitted to work remotely.  However, it is expected that the Executive Director will have residency in a CREDA member state or will relocate to one within six months of employment.  It is preferred the Executive Director’s primary residence be located near a major airport hub to allow ease of travel to member organizations, federal agencies, and Washington, D.C.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the position of Executive Director at CREDA will have a proven track record of protecting and promoting the federal hydropower program, strong advocacy skills, and experience working with a board of directors.

Leadership Competencies

The leader we are seeking will:

• have vision and a strategic orientation,
• have ability to think analytically,
• show respect and appreciation to others,
• have strong interpersonal communication skills,
• lead with integrity and courage,
• have a commitment to CREDA,
• understand member interests,
• understand association financial management,
• understand regional issues,
• have ability to develop external relationships, and
• understand hydropower issues.

Experience and Expertise

• A Bachelor’s Degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
• Education or experience in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Accounting, Finance, Law, Environmental Science, or Engineering is preferred.
• An advanced degree such as an MBA is preferred but not required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership in public affairs, legislative advocacy, electric utility leadership, or environmental sciences is preferred.
• Experience at power marketing administrations, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public power or cooperative trade associations, or governmental agencies involved in hydroelectric power production is preferred.
• An understanding of the dynamics of the federal hydropower program is required.
• Knowledge of regional issues related to WAPA and the USBR is preferred.
• The experience necessary to manage the financial and budgetary aspects of a non-profit association is required.