Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Hood River Electric Cooperative Hires Libby Calnon for GM Position (Northwest Public Power Association)


(HOOD RIVER, OR) – The Hood River Electric Cooperative (Ore.) Board of Directors has selected Libby Calnon to serve as the co-op’s next general manager. Calnon will replace John Gerstenberger, who is retiring next month after 32 years of service to members.

Calnon has 20 years of experience in public power and serves as the community and public relations supervisor at Columbia River PUD in Deer Island, Ore. In that role, she represents the PUD within the community, advocates for customers on regional industry issues, and collaborates with others for projects related to economic development, strategic planning, outage management, emergency response, and efforts to improve services for customers. She is the third generation in her family to work in the electric utility industry.

“I’m blessed to have this opportunity,” Calnon said. “HREC is a well-run cooperative and it will be my goal to continue to build upon their long tradition of providing excellent service and affordable rates to members.”

Calnon earned a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in technical journalism from Oregon State University. She is currently working toward her Cooperative Finance Professional Certificate through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Calnon and her husband, Rick, have two grown children. They are looking forward to moving to the Hood River Valley, where they have family ties.