President and Chief Executive Officer

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation

The Board of Directors at Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation (Sawnee EMC) is seeking an accomplished senior executive to serve as the cooperative's next President and Chief Executive Officer. The preferred start date is October 2026.

Sawnee EMC has partnered with GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with this search. 

Sawnee EMC is one of the largest electric cooperatives in the United States, serving more than 204,000 meters across a rapidly growing seven-county region north of Atlanta. Leading an organization of this scale calls for a combination of strategic vision, operational judgment, financial acumen, and people leadership. The board is seeking a President and CEO with outstanding communication skills, a proven track record of building high-performance teams, and the ability to cultivate a shared sense of direction across a workforce of more than 400 employees.

Integrity, safety, and a genuine belief in the cooperative business model must be at the center of the CEO's leadership. Equally essential are the qualities that sustain a healthy organization: self-awareness, humility, sound judgment, and a commitment to teamwork.

Sawnee EMC will be served by a leader who listens carefully, builds trust, and makes decisions that reflect the cooperative's purpose and values. The role demands the ability to build and sustain productive relationships with the board, the executive team, employees, members, power suppliers, elected officials, and the broader community. 

Ranked #1 in the nation in 2025 by J.D. Power for customer satisfaction among electric cooperatives, Sawnee EMC has earned a reputation for outstanding member service and reliability. The next President and CEO will be responsible for carrying that legacy forward.

About Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation

Headquartered in Cumming, Georgia, Sawnee EMC serves portions of Forsyth, Cherokee, Dawson, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, and Lumpkin counties – a footprint that includes some of the fastest-growing communities in the United States.

That growth has made reliability and responsiveness defining priorities for the cooperative.

Community investment is woven into how the cooperative operates. Through the Operation Round Up Foundation, members voluntarily support community projects across the service territory. The Youth Scholarship Program and sponsorship of the Washington Youth Tour give local students meaningful opportunities to pursue their education and broaden their perspective. Alongside the cooperative's work in economic development, these programs reflect Sawnee EMC's view that its responsibilities to members and communities extend well beyond the meter.

The cooperative is governed by a board of nine directors who bring substantial experience and a thoughtful approach to their stewardship of Sawnee EMC. They are eager to partner with the incoming President and CEO as the cooperative continues to set the standard for what a large, member-owned utility can be.

For additional information about Sawnee EMC, please visit https://sawnee.coop.

About the Region

Cumming, Georgia is the county seat of Forsyth County, located in the North Georgia foothills about 30 miles north of Atlanta. Surrounded by rolling hills, Lake Sidney Lanier, and Sawnee Mountain, it offers a mix of peaceful small-town life and convenient access to metropolitan areas.

The local economy in Forsyth County focuses on high-growth, high-wage sectors like technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. The economic strategy centers on balancing rapid population growth with a skilled workforce, low taxes, and quality of life, featuring high-speed fiber infrastructure and a strong public-private partnership. Healthcare services through Northside Hospital Healthcare Systems ensure quality care close to home.

Cumming and Forsyth County are consistently ranked among the most desirable communities in the nation. In fact, Forsyth County was ranked by Niche in 2026 as the third-best county in the entire United States in which to live. Excellent schools, parks, over 200 miles of lake shoreline, the lowest property taxes in the region, and a vibrant business community are the primary factors that earn the community accolades year after year.

Travel is convenient, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport located 45 miles south of Sawnee EMC. The airport operates as the primary hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as a major global gateway, offering non-stop service to more than 150 domestic and 80 international destinations across 51 countries.

Qualifications

Required

Applications from those who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

• Verifiable, successful leadership experience at the Vice President level or above in an electric utility
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• An unwavering commitment to transparency and ethical conduct
• Deep knowledge in electric utility strategy, risk management, operations, systems, safety, power supply, customer/member needs and expectations, and finance
• An understanding of electric utility industry trends, their likely effects on large cooperatives, and ways to leverage those trends for the benefit of Sawnee EMC’s members
• An understanding of – and commitment to – the cooperative business model and cooperative principles
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with boards of directors, executive leadership teams, and support staff
• The ability to represent Sawnee EMC effectively with members, business partners, professional associations, lenders, government officials, the statewide association, regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders
• Willingness and ability to travel for meetings locally, regionally, and nationally  

Preferred 

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible electric cooperative experience
• An advanced degree in an area relevant to leading an electric cooperative
• An understanding of Georgia energy issues, especially as they relate to electric cooperatives
• Active state and national engagement in the electric cooperative program

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to a highly competitive salary, Sawnee EMC’s new CEO will enjoy the following benefits: 401(k); supplemental executive retirement benefits; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; life and AD&D insurance; employee assistance program; business travel insurance; nine paid holidays and one personal day per year; PTO; and a company vehicle.

Application Process and Deadline

Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must email a cover letter and resume to Monica Beavers, Director of Client Services at GreatCo-Ops, at mbeavers@greatcoops.com. In addition to discussing the applicant’s fit for the role, the cover letter must also include the individual’s perspectives on one significant trend in the electric cooperative industry and how it will likely affect Sawnee EMC, given the cooperative’s unique characteristics.

Applications are strongly preferred by June 12, 2026, at 5:00 pm Eastern. However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Professional references will be requested later for progressing applicants. Finalists will undergo a comprehensive background check. The selected candidate must also undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

Sawnee EMC is an equal opportunity employer (including disabled and veterans) and provider.  Applicants will be considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.