BARC Board Appoints New CEO
Millboro – BARC Electric Cooperative’s board of directors today announced Bill Buchanan has been named chief executive officer of the cooperative.
Buchanan replaces Michael Keyser, who departed the co-op in December 2021 after 11 years of service, BARC said in announcing the leadership change. Buchanan will take over as CEO effective May 9, 2022. Chris Botulinksi, interim chief executive officer and chief operations officer will continue in his role as chief operations officer for the cooperative.
“The board of directors conducted an exhaustive search in partnership with Carter-Baldwin to find a new CEO for BARC”, said board chair Keith Swisher. “We are confident that Bill will bring much expertise and leadership to the cooperative, continuing its mission to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. BARC will remain focused to bring reliable and affordable electric service, solar opportunities, and expand broadband deployment to best meet the needs of our consumers.”
Buchanan comes to BARC from Northwestern REC and is no stranger to cooperatives bringing over 30 years of leadership experience to the role focused on strategic and financial planning and operations. He is a graduate of Western Illinois University, the University of Missouri’s Graduate Institute for Cooperative Leadership and Stanford University’s professional certification in Energy Innovation.
Buchanan has many years of service to co-operative telecom boards and community service organizations serving local communities. He has served as president and board member of both the Illinois and Colorado rural telecommunications associations as well as the Western Telecommunications Alliance, serving on the transition committee during the merger of two regional associations.
Bill and his wife, Malloree, are in the process of relocating to the area; they have two sons, Tyler and Tanner. The family is actively involved in its church and volunteering in various capacities.
About BARC
BARC Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned electric cooperative serving 13,000 residents, farms and businesses across five counties in Virginia. To continue to serve and meet the needs of its members, BARC constructed the first community solar garden in the Commonwealth and provides high-speed Internet and telephone service through BARC Connects, its wholly owned fiber-to-the-home subsidiary. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To learn more about all the exciting things happening at BARC, visit www.barcelectric.com , www.barcconnects.net and www.solarizebarc.com.
