Steve Shurts, new East Central Energy President/CEO
June 1, 2010

The East Central Energy (ECE) Board of Directors selected Steve Shurts as the President/CEO of the cooperative, replacing Garry Bye, who is retiring after nearly 25 years in this capacity.  Shurts is expected to start in July.

 

Shurts comes to ECE with over 30 years experience in the utility and energy business and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of St. Thomas.  Since 2003, he has managed the Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) that serves electric, water and natural gas customers.

 

"I hope to continue the emphasis on premier customer service, reliability, and financial stability ECE has enjoyed under Garry's leadership.  My family and I look forward to joining East Central Energy and becoming members of your community," said Shurts.

 

ECE's search for a new President/CEO began at the beginning of the year with the announcement of Garry Bye's retirement.  The ECE Board of Directors worked with a third-party employee search firm to manage a national search and hiring process.