NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Benton Rural Electric Association
Media Contact: Troy Berglund
Office: 509-786-2913
Cell: 509-528-4478
Email: troyb@bentonrea.org
BENTON RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION SELECTS NEW GM
CLINT GERKENSMEYER TO REPLACE CHARLES DAWSEY
Prosser, WA – May 17, 2012 – Following a national search, the Board of Trustees of the Benton Rural Electric Association in Prosser, Washington has selected Mr. Clint Gerkensmeyer to be the new General Manager.
Mr. Gerkensmeyer, who has served as the Engineering Manager for Benton REA for the last 5 years, will assume the responsibilities of General Manager upon the retirement of the current manager Charles (Chuck) Dawsey. Chuck has been General Manager of Benton REA for 24 years and will be retiring on June 1st.
Virgil Boyle, Benton’s board president, said that “the board unanimously selected Gerkensmeyer following a nationwide search conducted over many months. His leadership skills, educational background and industry experience, along with his personal traits that reflect Benton’s culture, make him an outstanding choice for this position,” Boyle said.
“He is a trusted employee and respected leader, and we know that under his direction we will continue our mission of serving our members with reliable energy at the lowest possible cost. We have been fortunate to have had strong leadership under Chuck for the past 24 years and look forward to strong leadership with Clint as our new manager.”
Gerkensmeyer said, “I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for this position and excited to face the challenging times ahead. To be given this incredible opportunity to build upon the successes achieved by a highly- respected leader like Chuck Dawsey is truly humbling.
ABOUT BENTON REA – Benton is a not-for-profit rural electric distribution cooperative that employs 78 people and provides reliable electric power to roughly 15,000 accounts in Benton and Yakima counties. The cooperative is governed by a nine member board of trustees elected by its membership.
