January 15, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For more information contact: Susan Cunningham, 785-271-4815

KEPCo BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Board of Trustees unanimously re-elected Mr. Dale Short as President during its November 21 meeting in Mayetta, KS.  Mr. Short is Manager of Butler Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in El Dorado and served as KEPCo’s Vice President from 2016 to 2018.  

The KEPCo Board of Trustees consists of a Trustee Representative and Alternate from each of the 19 KEPCo member rural electric cooperatives. The Board annually names seven Trustee Representatives to serve as its Executive Committee. The other officers unanimously re-elected were: Vice President – Doug Jackson, Manager of Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Beloit; Secretary – Steve Foss, Manager of FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Topeka and McLouth; and Treasurer – Dean Allison, Director on the DS&O Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors in Solomon. Elected to the Executive Committee, in addition to those listed above, were: Mike Morton, General Manager of Bluestem Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Wamego; Charles Goeckel, Manager of Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in Council Grove; and Kirk Thompson, Manager of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Meade. 

KEPCo, a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, has 19-member electric distribution cooperatives that provide electricity and other services to approximately 300,000 rural Kansans.  KEPCo is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. Touchstone Energy is a nationwide alliance of more than 750 electric cooperatives committed to promoting the core strengths of electric cooperatives—integrity, accountability, innovation, personal service and a legacy of community commitment. 

For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018
For more information contact: Susan Cunningham, 785-271-4815

KEPCo BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Board of Trustees elected Mr. Dale Short as President during its November 15 meeting in Junction City, KS.  Mr. Short is Manager of Butler Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in El Dorado and served as KEPCo’s Vice President from 2016 to 2018.  
    The KEPCo Board of Trustees consists of a Trustee Representative and Alternate from each of the 19 KEPCo member rural electric cooperatives. The Board annually names seven Trustee Representatives to serve as its Executive Committee. The other officers elected were: Vice President – Doug Jackson, Manager of Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Beloit; Secretary –  Steve Foss, Manager of FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Topeka and McLouth; and Treasurer – Dean Allison, Director on the DS&O Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors in Solomon. Elected to the Executive Committee, in addition to those listed above, were: Kevin Compton, Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in Horton; Charles Goeckel, Manager of Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in Council Grove; and Kirk Thompson, Manager of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Meade; 
    KEPCo, a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, has 19 member electric distribution cooperatives that provide electricity and other services to approximately 300,000 rural Kansans.  KEPCo is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. Touchstone Energy is a nationwide alliance of more than 750 electric cooperatives committed to promoting the core strengths of electric cooperatives—integrity, accountability, innovation, personal service and a legacy of community commitment. 

For Immediate Release
September 5, 2018
For more information contact:
Phil Wages 785/273-7010

KEPCo Hires Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs and General Counsel

Susan B. Cunningham has been hired by Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) as Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs and General Counsel. Ms. Cunningham most recently was with the law firm Dentons US LLP.  Ms. Cunningham has over 28 years of experience in the electric utility industry, including General Counsel with the Kansas Corporation Commission.  As Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs and General Counsel, Ms. Cunningham will act as general counsel and be responsible for all legal functions and the oversight of regulatory and government affairs functions for KEPCo.  

Ms. Cunningham is replacing Mr. William G. Riggins effective October 1, 2018.  Ms. Cunningham received her undergraduate degree from the Olivet Nazarene University and her juris doctorate degree from the Washburn University School of Law.

Ms. Cunningham and her husband reside near Topeka, Kansas and have two children.
 
“We are thrilled that Susan will be joining the KEPCo team. She not only brings years of industry experience and legal expertise, but she also possesses the leadership skills and personality traits that will add tremendous value to our staff and membership,” said Suzanne Lane, Vice President, Member Services and Government Affairs (Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2018). KEPCo, a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, has 19 member electric distribution cooperatives which provide electricity and other services to more than 300,000 rural Kansans.
 

For immediate release:
July 30, 2018    
For more information, contact: Bill Riggins, General Counsel 785-273-7010

Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Selects New Executive Vice President and CEO

Topeka, Kansas (July 30, 2018) – Kansas Electric Power Cooperative’s (KEPCo’s) Board of Trustees has selected Suzanne Lane of Topeka, Kansas, as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization.

KEPCo’s Board President, Kevin Compton, stated, “Suzanne possesses the knowledge and talent to continue to move the cooperative forward to meet the energy needs of our member-owners.  We look forward to working with her in her new position as we strive to meet future energy requirements in today’s challenging energy markets.”

Suzanne has twenty years of leadership experience in the utility business, working at Westar Energy for most of her career, and then joining the KEPCo team in 2017.  Her work responsibilities and experience have included wholesale power marketing, transmission and distribution operations, and key account management.  Most recently, she has served as the Vice President, Member Services and Government Affairs for KEPCo.

“KEPCo has a long-standing, strong presence in Kansas as a not-for-profit, member-focused organization that works hard to provide its members with the most reliable, cost-effective power.  I am honored and privileged to have been selected for this role, and I look forward to working side-by-side with the Board of Trustees and staff to continue that mission,” stated Suzanne after her selection.

In 1998, Suzanne received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.  She received her Master of Business Administration in 2001 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.  Suzanne and her husband, Martin, have two daughters and reside in the Topeka area.  She will assume the duties of the Executive Vice President and CEO on October 1 of this year.

For immediate release:
February 1, 2017
For more information contact Phil Wages, 785-271-4822

KEPCo Board Elects Officers & Executive Committee

    The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Board of Trustees elected Kevin Compton as President during its November 17 meeting in Mayetta, KS.  Mr. Compton is Vice-President of the Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees in Horton, KS. Mr. Compton resides in Hiawatha, KS.

    The KEPCo Board of Trustees consists of a Trustee Representative and Alternate from each of the 19 KEPCo member rural electric cooperatives. The Board annually names seven Trustee Representatives to serve as its Executive Committee. The other officers elected were: Vice President – Dale Short, El Dorado, Manager of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in El Dorado; Secretary – Doug Jackson, Belleville, Manager of Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Beloit; and Treasurer – Dean Allison, Delphos, Director on the DS&O Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors in Solomon. Elected to the Executive Committee, in addition to those listed above, were: Steve Foss, Basehor, Chief Executive Officer of FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc. in McLouth and Topeka; Kirk Thompson, Meade, Manager of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Meade; and Scott Whittington, Burlington, Manager of Lyon-Coffey Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Burlington.

     KEPCo, a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, has 19 member electric distribution cooperatives that provide electricity and other services to approximately 300,000 rural Kansans.  KEPCo is a Touchstone Energyâ Cooperative. Touchstone Energyâ is a nationwide alliance of more than 750 electric cooperatives committed to promoting the core strengths of electric cooperatives—integrity, accountability, innovation, personal service and a legacy of community commitment. 

For immediate release:
November 3, 2014
For more information, contact: Bill Riggins, General Counsel 785-273-7010

Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Selects New Executive Vice President and CEO

Topeka, Kansas (November 3, 2014) Kansas Electric Power Cooperative’s (KEPCo) Board of Trustees has selected Marcus M. Harris, P.E., as their new Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
 
KEPCo’s Board President, Scott Whittington stated, “Marcus possesses the knowledge and talent to continue to move the cooperative forward in order to meet the energy needs of our member-owners.  We look forward to working with him in his new position as we strive to meet future challenges in today’s turbulent energy markets.”
 
Marcus has over twenty-three years of leadership experience in the utility business. His work responsibilities have included wholesale power marketing, operations planning, transmission and distribution operations, power origination and most recently directing the renewable and demand side management activities at South Carolina Electric and Gas Company.
 
“This cooperative has a rich history in Kansas, working hard to provide its members with the most reliable power and at the most affordable cost.  I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees to continue that mission,” stated Marcus after his selection. 
 
Marcus received his Bachelors of Science degree as well as his Masters of Engineering from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Marcus also has the distinction of being a licensed Professional Engineer. He and his wife, Allison, have two sons and currently reside in Lexington, SC. He will assume the duties of Executive Vice President and CEO in mid-December of this year.

Thank you to all the participants and donors! KEPCo raised approximately $1,200 in donations to the ALS Association. Additional donations can be made through the ALS Association site.

View video from ice bucket challenge

View the individual videos of Ice Bucket Challenge at KEPCo's Youtube Channel.

April 30, 2014
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Stephen E. Parr Engineering Intern Selected

Last November at KEPCo’s annual meeting, the KEPCo Board of Trustees announced the establishment of the Stephen E. Parr Engineering Internship, in recognition of Mr. Parr’s dedication and contributions to KEPCo and KEPCo’s Member Cooperatives.

KEPCo advertised the internship at Kansas University, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University. Upon receiving and reviewing fourteen applications, KEPCo selected Brett Champlin as the first recipient of the Stephen E. Parr Engineering Internship.

Brett will graduate from Cowley County Community College in May with a degree in Pre-Engineering and plans to attend Kansas State University this fall. Brett is a member of Alpha Pi Mu, an industrial engineering honor society.

The goal of the internship is to introduce a student to the electric cooperative business model, to provide exposure to the opportunities and challenges confronting the electric utility industry, to build upon classroom knowledge and to foster personal and professional growth.

Brett is the son of Mike and Kitty Champlin. Kitty is the Assistant Office Manager at Caney Valley Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in Cedar Vale, KS.

November 22, 2013
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact: Phil Wages, KEPCo, 785-273-7010

KEPCo Elects Officers

The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Board of Trustees elected Scott Whittington as President during its November 20 meeting in Mayetta.

Mr. Whittington is Manager of Lyon-Coffey Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Burlington, Kansas. He has served on the KEPCo Board of Trustees since 2005. Mr. Whittington resides in Burlington, Kansas.

The KEPCo Board of Trustees consists of a Trustee Representative and Alternate from each of the 19 KEPCo member rural electric cooperatives. The Board annually names seven Trustee Representatives to serve as its Executive Committee. The other officers elected were: Vice President – Kevin Compton, Trustee, Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Horton, Kansas;    Treasurer - Dale Short, Manager, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., El Dorado, Kansas; and Secretary – Dean Allison, Trustee, DS&O Electric Cooperative, Inc., Solomon, Kansas. Elected to the Executive Committee, in addition to those listed above, were Kenneth Maginley, Manager of Bluestem Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Wamego, Kansas; Kirk Thompson, Manager of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc., Meade, Kansas; and Larry Stevens, Trustee of Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, Inc., McLouth, Kansas.

At the April 2013 meeting of the KEPCo Board of Trustees, Mr. Charles “Chuck” Terrill was named KEPCo Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Stephen E. Parr, Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer passed away on February 16, 2013 after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Mr. Parr served as EVP & CEO at KEPCo from 1996 until the time of his passing. Mr. Parr was a member of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company Board of Directors and the Southwest Power Pool Member’s Committee. 

Mr. Charles “Chuck” Terrill has been named KEPCo’s Interim Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer while the KEPCo Board of Trustees conducts an executive search to fill the position.

Mr. Terrill assumes the position at KEPCo on March 4, 2013. He has dedicated his career to electric cooperatives, previously serving in positions at Hoosier Energy; at KEPCo as Director of Power Supply and Engineering from 1984-1988 and as EVP & CEO from 1988 to 1995; and as CEO of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC). Mr. Terrill retired from that position in 2007.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2012
For more information contact: Phil Wages (785) 273-7010

KEPCo Hires Chief Administrative Officer

William G. Riggins has been hired by Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Riggins most recently was with the law firm of Husch Blackwell. Prior to this, Mr. Riggins was General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer with Kansas City Power & Light and Great Plains Energy. As Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Riggins will act as general counsel and be responsible for all legal and administrative functions of KEPCo. Mr. Riggins has over twenty-seven years of experience in the electric utility industry and is replacing Mr. J. Michael Peters who is retiring at the end of the year.

Mr. Riggins received his undergraduate degree and juris doctorate degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Missouri –Kansas City. Mr. Riggins and his wife, Stacy, reside in Lawrence and have three children.

“William Riggins’ vast experience in the utility industry will be an immediate asset to KEPCo and its Member Cooperatives as we deal with the complexities of power supply and transmission related issues,” said Stephen E. Parr, Executive Vice President and CEO. KEPCo, a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, has 19 member electric distribution cooperatives which provide electricity and other services to more than 300,000 rural Kansans.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January, 10 2008
For more information contact: Phil Wages (785) 273-7010

KEPCo Endorses Alliance

The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its December meeting to endorse the national 25X’25 renewable energy alliance (www.25x25.org). 

The goal of the alliance is to develop technologies and fuels that will allow America’s farms, ranches and forests to provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States by 2025, while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber. 

“Reducing our dependence on foreign oil through the development of alternative fuels and the development of new technologies for energy production are two of the most important tasks our nation faces. KEPCo and its Member Cooperatives are proud to support an alliance such as 25X’25. This alliance is committed to the development of technologies through renewable resources, which not only will benefit the nation as a whole, but will also directly impact the rural economy of Kansas,” said Steve Parr, KEPCo Executive Vice President & CEO. 

By endorsing 25x’25, KEPCo has joined a broad alliance of organizations, elected officials, and individuals committed to the goal of deriving 25 percent of America’s energy from renewable resources by 2025. KEPCo has committed its resources and leadership to show the political support needed to achieve the goal of 25x’25. 

25x'25 is supported financially by the Energy Future Coalition, a nonpartisan public policy initiative funded by foundations and is directed by a committee composed of volunteer leaders from the agricultural, forestry and renewable energy communities.

Westar Media contact:
Gina Penzig, senior communications media representative Phone: 785.575.8089

Investor contact:
Bruce Burns, director, investor relations Phone: 785.575.8227

KEPCo Media contact:
Phil Wages, director, member services & external affairs Phone:  785.273.7010

Westar Energy, KEPCo Enter 38-Year Energy Agreement

TOPEKA, Kan., Aug. 7 - Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:   WR) and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative (KEPCo) announced today that KEPCo will continue to purchase a significant amount of its electricity requirements from Westar during the next 38 years. The sales agreement was signed Monday, Aug. 6, 2007.

KEPCo generates and transmits power for its 19 rural electric cooperative members, which collectively provide electricity to more than 300,000 rural homes and businesses in the eastern two-thirds of Kansas. The individual co-ops depend upon KEPCo to provide a long-term, reliable and economical energy supply.

"We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with KEPCo," Doug Sterbenz, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Westar Energy, said. "Its members will benefit from Westar's reliable, low-cost generation and be shielded from the swings experienced buying energy on the open markets."

"KEPCo has long realized that using short-term purchase power agreements, relying on increasing amounts of natural gas-fired generation, and purchasing power in the spot market are not prudent business plans," said Stephen Parr, executive vice president and chief executive officer.

KEPCo will purchase electricity based on Westar Energy's cost to produce the power and combine it with KEPCo's own resources to meet all of its members' electrical needs. Westar will also assist KEPCo in managing its resources, a process that is beneficial to both KEPCo and Westar. The contract would become effective once reviewed by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Rural Utilities Service.

"KEPCo's valuable relationship with Westar is a key component of the power supply for our members. This purchase exemplifies how KEPCo is looking out for the long-term interests of our members and the rural consumers we serve," Parr said.

Westar Energy serves about 670,000 Kansas retail customers within its service territory, which spans the eastern half of Kansas. Nearly 70 percent of the electricity it produces serves those customers directly. More than 80 percent of the electricity produced by Westar Energy is sold in Kansas. Profits from electricity produced at Westar's energy centers that is sold at wholesale are used to reduce the rates its retail customers pay.

"Our neighboring municipal and rural electric utilities can benefit from our reliable, low-cost generation, and our customers benefit as those sales help to offset our costs," Sterbenz said. "Four years ago, we shed our non-utility assets and reaffirmed that our focus was to be a Kansas electric utility. This commitment reaches beyond serving our retail customers."

Like many utilities, Westar Energy is entering a phase of construction to ensure electricity is available to meet customers' growing needs and to maintain required capacity margins that protect system reliability.

"The electric utility industry is on the cusp of unprecedented expansion in the next few years," Sterbenz said. "Electricity providers are wise to be looking at long-term solutions for their customers."

KEPCo members: Ark Valley Cooperative Association, Hutchinson; Bluestem Electric Cooperative, Inc., Wamego; Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Horton; Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., El Dorado; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Cedar Vale; CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc., Meade; D.S. & O. Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Solomon; Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Council Grove; Heartland Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Girard; Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, Inc., McLouth; Lyon-Coffey Electric Cooperative, Inc., Burlington; Ninnescah Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Pratt; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc., Norton; Radiant Electric Cooperative, Inc., Fredonia; Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Mankato; Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Cheney; Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Wellington; Twin Valley Electric Cooperative Association, Inc Altamont; Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Dodge City.

Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:   WR) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 669,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,000 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines. For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

KEPCo, headquartered at Topeka, Kan., was incorporated in 1975 as a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative. It is KEPCo's responsibility to procure an adequate and reliable power supply for its 19 distribution rural electric cooperative members at an economical cost. For more information about KEPCo, visit us on the Internet at http://www.kepco.org

Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this news release are "forward-looking statements." The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like "believe," "anticipate," "target," "expect," "pro forma," "estimate," "intend," "guidance" or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although Westar Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. Therefore, actual results could vary materially from what we expect. Please review our Form 10-K for the period ended Dec. 31, 2006 for important risk factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

For Immediate Release
June, 16 2006
For more information contact: Phil Wages (785) 273-7010

KEPCo Executes Documents

On May 24th, Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo) executed the documents to acquire a 30 MW ownership participation in Iatan 2, an 850 MW high efficiency coal-fired power plant, with state-of-the-art environmental controls, to be constructed at the Iatan Generating Station in Platte County, MO, with a projected in-service date of 2010.

KEPCo will be co-owners with Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), Aquila Inc., Empire District Electric, and Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission. The new plant will be developed and operated by KCP&L.

“This is an important decision for KEPCo and its Member cooperatives. In a time of market uncertainty and market-based energy prices, the opportunity to own an economical and reliable portion of KEPCo’s energy mix is of great value,” said Stephen E. Parr, KEPCo Executive Vice President & CEO. “Co-ownership of Iatan 2 is another vital step KEPCo has made in mitigating exposure to volatile energy markets for years to come.”