Job Description

The Board of Directors of Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA) seeks a collaborative leader with strong interpersonal skills to become the next GM due to an upcoming retirement.

Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA) is an electric cooperative that serves the town of Kotzebue, Alaska, also known as Qikiqtaġruk, 31 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The town’s electric grid is isolated and not tied to any larger grid, so the co-op generates all its power and distributes it to the community of about 3,000, most of which is Inupiat. KEA’s territory is about four-square miles – but the community is central to the region. Kotzebue is the seat of the Northwest Arctic Borough and serves as a hub for transportation, education, and health care for 11 outlying villages.

The cooperative has recent total operating revenues of $ 9.3 million and a total utility plant of $31 million. Serving over 844 members with 1,200 meters, and 17 full time employees, KEA has made developing new sources of energy for the future their priority. KEA is a pioneer in the use of wind and solar energy in an arctic environment to keep electric costs at affordable levels – it boasts the northernmost wind farm in the United States and the first above the Arctic Circle. In addition to 12 MW of diesel generation, it operates 1 MW of solar PV, 2.4 MW of installed wind capacity and a 1 MW/MWh lithium-ion battery.  The wind and solar power has the capacity to generate approximately 30% of KEA’s load. KEA’s goal is to get to 50% renewables.  Getting electricity into the rural areas of Alaska has been a triumph not only of technology, but also of the people.

Reporting to a 9-member Board of Directors, the GM of KEA is responsible for carrying out the strategic vision of the cooperative that is set by the cooperative board.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an electric utility leader, with demonstrated leadership and management skills committed to cooperative values and the cooperative employees while focusing on the best interest of the members of KEA.

Leadership Competencies

• Vision and Strategic Orientation: Takes a broad scale, long-term view, that focuses on the future needs of the organization and members
• Exceptional communication skills, both formally and informally: Listens, relates and expresses oneself in a manner that is effective while supporting mutual understanding
• Commitment to Talent development, acquisition and retention: Develops and empowers staff to achieve by understanding the professional needs of the employees and the cooperative.
• Strong focus on safety: Upholds and provides focus on the safety standards of the cooperative.
• Relationship and teambuilding experience: Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams
• Ability to motivate and positively motivate others: Persuades and motivates others towards an outcome consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values
• Solid financial understanding and understanding of distribution cooperatives: Fluent with financial metrics and have a detailed understanding of the key financial opportunities as well as financial risks and budget process
• Power Supply: Strong understanding of power supply and related issues.
• Adaptability: Must be able to adapt to an extreme environment and support the cultural values of an indigenous far north community.

Experience and Expertise

• Bachelor’s Degree is preferred or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Education or Experience in Accounting & Finance, Engineering or Business is preferred
• At least 5 years of leadership experience is preferred
• At least 5 years of electric utility experience is preferred
• GM experience preferred but not required
• A commitment to cooperative values will set you apart!

Our Location

Kotzebue is located on the Baldwin Peninsula in Kotzebue Sound.   The town is 549 air miles from Anchorage and has regularly scheduled large commercial passenger aircraft service to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.   Kotzebue is the service and transportation hub for all villages in the northwest region. Given the importance of KEA to the town, the Board of Directors requires that the GM live in Kotzebue.

Our Benefits

We provide an outstanding benefits package that includes a Traditional Pension Plan AND a 401 (k) with a 4% Company Match.

Kotzebue Electric Association is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer.  Race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by Federal, State or Local law are not taken into account in any employment decision.  Learn more about us at https://www.kea.coop/

How to Apply

If interested, please apply at [email protected] with the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume and 3) contact information (including email) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received by January 15, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Becki Alvey at 907-277-1604.

All replies are confidential.

Benefits Information

We provide an outstanding benefits package that includes a Traditional Pension Plan AND a 401 (k) with a 4% Company Match.

Kotzebue Electric Association is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer.  Race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by Federal, State or Local law are not taken into account in any employment decision.  Learn more about us at https://www.kea.coop/