PRECorp to transition leadership roles in 2022
The Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) Board of Directors has announced that long-time CEO Mike Easley will begin transitioning out of his current role. During that time PRECorp Deputy General Manager Brian Mills will assume increasing responsibilities of the CEO. The cooperative is planning that Mills will formally assume all CEO duties on August 1, 2022.
The PRECorp Board and the leadership team have been in discussions about this measured change of leadership to coincide with Mike Easley’s decision to depart the cooperative at the end of 2023.
“PRECorp has always had a strategic eye toward the future and proactively addresses challenges and opportunities on the horizon,” said PRECorp Board President Reuben Ritthaler. “Succession planning and developing bench strength has always been a part of our strategic focus. Given Brian’s development over his years with the company and experience gained since being named Deputy General Manager in 2017, his transition to succeed Mike nearly assures a seamless transition for our membership and the cooperative. The Board and I thank Mike for his two decades of service to the membership and leaving us with a healthy cooperative and a top-notch team of employees who put the members first.”
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to lead PRECorp through some significant challenges, however when the time came in 2021 to discuss my future plans with the Board, I determined that after 40 years in the utility business – 21 here at PRECorp – I wanted to turn the page on my career and go in a new direction, one that further leverages my years of leadership experience,” said Mike Easley. “I’m confident in the direction we are headed as a cooperative and I’m looking forward to what the future will bring. The Board and I will continue to work closely with Brian over the next year to ensure the change is smooth for our members and employee team.”
Mills is a Crook County native who has been at PRECorp for nearly 18 years assuming increasing leadership roles and responsibilities, currently serving as the company’s Deputy General Manager and Human Resource Officer. “I am honored and extremely appreciative for this opportunity and the trust the Board is placing in me to lead our cooperative,” Mills said. “Taking the baton from Mike, I see a bright future for PRECorp. PRECorp is well positioned to create and take advantage of opportunities that will benefit our members, even amongst the challenges that may arise. This optimism is due to the unmatched employee team we are blessed with, who are dedicated, professional and trusted. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside each of them, every day, to deliver great service to our members.”