The board of directors of Deseret Generation & Transmission Co-operative has announced the selection of Jeff Peterson as its next president and CEO, effective with the announcement late last month.
Deseret is a regional generation and transmission cooperative serving five rural electric cooperatives and other customers in five western states. As a cooperative, Deseret is owned by its five member systems: Bridger Valley Electric in Wyoming, Dixie Power in Washington County, Garkane Energy based in Loa, Moon Lake Electric in Roosevelt and Mt. Wheeler Power in Nevada.
Peterson brings more than a decade of cooperative and energy industry experience, having served as vice president and general counsel of Deseret Power and the executive director of the Utah Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
He has also been a longtime leader of the Utah Rural Caucus at the Utah Legislature. He holds a law degree from Brigham Young University, as well as a BS political science from the University of Utah. He resides in Highland with his wife Hailey and their five children.
Peterson succeeds David Crabtree, who is retiring after five years as president and CEO and more than 30 years of service at Deseret.
“Energy is the backbone of our rural communities,” Peterson said. “Every day, Deseret Power and Utah rural electric co-operative employees provide safe, reliable and affordable power to our local communities. Our future is grounded in the work of those who came before us, and we’re committed to building on that legacy to benefit the communities we serve.”
“Jeff brings a vast variety of leadership skills and experience that we believe will ensure Deseret’s success into the future,” said LaDel Laub, Deseret’s board chairman. “Jeff understands and is passionate about the cooperative business model and will be a great asset in aligning the needs of the various cooperative members with the resources that Deseret owns, operates or controls.”