CEO of NRECA
Jim Matheson is Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than nine hundred private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provides service to forty-two million people in forty-seven states. Jim joined NRECA in July 2016. Prior to joining NRECA, Jim served as principal, public policy practice for the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs. From 2001 to 2015, Jim served seven terms as a United States Representative from Utah.
PUF's Steve Mitnick: What has been especially memorable during your first year as CEO at NRECA?
Jim Matheson: The opportunity to meet with our members across the country has been meaningful and instructive for me. There's a culture in the co-op world. People have a sense that they're part of something bigger than themselves. It's palpable.
I've had relationships with the co-ops from my earlier time in Congress and I had a sense of that culture, but the opportunity to interact with members every day has really reinforced that for me and it's had a great, positive impact on me.
PUF: Have you been traveling around?