Gossage, Oliver promoted to C-suite positions at Electric Coops

Bill Gossage and Jonathan Oliver have both been promoted to new executive roles at the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc (AECI).

Gossage was named Chief External Affairs Officer. Oliver was named as the Chief Operations Officer for AECC.

“In Bill’s time with Arkansas’ electric cooperatives, he has excelled at ensuring the cooperative message of reliability, affordability and responsibility is communicated with state and federal officials,” said Vernon “Buddy” Hasten, president/CEO for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “He and his team will continue to ensure that the cooperatives work to improve the quality of life for Arkansans and educate our publics on key issues.”

“Jonathan began his career with AECC as an intern while in college and has now held top leadership positions in AECC and AECI,” Hasten said. “His experience provides him with a keen understanding of our organization and the electric industry as a whole.”

Gossage joined the cooperatives as vice president of governmental affairs in 2022. Prior to his most recent position, he served as former-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s deputy chief of staff of external affairs. Gossage served four years in the Arkansas House of Representatives representing District 82. He is a retired assistant superintendent for the Ozark School District, with 34 years as an educator. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

Oliver had most recently served as vice president of the utility sales and services division of AECI. He is a licensed professional engineer, a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program (AMP190) and has degrees in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (BEE) and Missouri S&T (MSEE). Since joining AECC in 1995, he has served in a variety of engineering and management roles prior to being named vice president of power production and delivery in the fall of 2008. He has extensive knowledge of utility engineering, operations and construction as well as expertise in project management, strategic execution and business operations.

“Arkansas’ electric cooperatives are truly dedicated to the interests of the 1.2 million electric cooperative members throughout Arkansas,” Gossage said. “We look forward to expanding our efforts to fully educate state officials, our members, and the general public about the many challenges facing the electricity sector in Arkansas and the United States.”

“I am honored to assume the new role of Chief Operations Officer for AECC,” Oliver said. “My career has been dedicated to working to improve the quality of life for Arkansas’ electric cooperative members. My new role with AECC will provide opportunities to ensure that our members have reliable, affordable energy that is delivered in a responsible manner.”

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 600,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.