Vernon “Buddy” Hasten
The boards of directors of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI) have selected Vernon “Buddy” Hasten of Rogersville, Missouri, as president and chief executive officer of the organizations. He will assume the role Nov. 1.
Hasten previously served as vice president of engineering and construction for Associated Electric Cooperative in Springfield, Missouri. He has held leadership positions in the military and investor-owned and electric cooperative sectors over his 30-year career. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Hasten has also earned certificates from the Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. During his 20 years of service with the U.S. Navy, he obtained a master’s equivalent from Naval Nuclear Power School.
Hasten said, “I have had great respect for AECC and AECI over the years. I am honored to serve as the president and CEO of these organizations that are dedicated to serving Arkansas electric cooperative members.”
Hasten succeeds Bill Conine, who served as the interim president/CEO of AECC and AECI as a nationwide search was conducted.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives: AECI, a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and AECC, a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 500,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.