Co-op hires new general manager
Socorro Electric Cooperative announced Thursday it has hired a new general manager.
Joseph Herrera, a native of Española and most recently director of engineering operations for Electrical District No. 3 in Pinal County, Ariz., will start his new job on Jan. 31, according to co-op President Paul Bustamante.
Herrera fills a position that has been vacant since August when Polo Pineda Jr. was fired in the wake of an investigation into financial irregularities. Since then, Richard Lopez, Socorro Electric’s engineering manager, has served as interim general manager.
According to a press release, Herrera’s area of expertise includes “engineering, operations, system planning, customer communication and board relations.” The release goes on to say that he has an adept understanding of financial records and has demonstrated “an exemplary record of successfully building teamwork in the workplace and community.”
Herrera has worked as director of engineering operations for Electrical District No. 3, a nonprofit political subdivision of the State of Arizona, for the past five years. The release said he was responsible for the department’s technical and operational requirements, maintenance, finances and financial controls. He also has experience in power purchasing agreements, managing engineering and construction of electrical subdivisions, transmission and distribution line projects.
Electrical District 3′s website indicates that the utility serves an area encompassing approximately 233 square miles and including the City of Maricopa and Town of Stanfield. The district has grown substantially in the past decade from a few hundred meters in 2002 to more than 22,500 meters today.
Socorro Electric’s press release said Herrera previously worked for Pacific Gas and Electric in the San Francisco area in system planning and operation, and the Salt River Project of Phoenix in substation design and system protection. He also worked for a utility consulting firm.
Herrera earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in electric power systems, from New Mexico State University. A check with NMSU’s Alumni Association lists a Joseph M. Herrera of Chandler, Ariz., as a 1999 graduate in that field of study.
Herrera is married with three children: a 2-year old and 11-month old twins.
The press release said Herrera is excited to be moving to Socorro and he looks forward to the opportunity to work as general manager for the co-op for many years to come.
Socorro Electric received 27 applications for the job and at least three people were interviewed. The general manager earned a salary of $102,151 in 2008, based on Form 990 the co-op filed with the IRS for that year.
Contact T.S. Last