The Lower Valley Energy Board of Directors has announced the selection of Bear Prairie as the next Chief Operating Officer of the cooperative. Bear will replace Jim Webb effective January 26. Webb announced his retirement in September of this year after working for Lower Valley Energy for 36 years, 31 of those as its President/CEO.

“This decision was made after a nationwide search and careful deliberation, with explicit attention on continuing LVE’s success in achieving its mission of safe, reliable, low-cost electricity and natural gas for its members, as well as ensuring that LVE remains a productive, supportive, learning organization for its employees,” reads a statement from the Lower Valley Energy Board of Directors. “With over 25 years of experience in the energy and broadband sector, Prairie brings deep expertise in utility leadership, power markets, and infrastructure development.”

Prairie worked at Idaho Falls Power (IFP) for fifteen years, half of that time as its General Manager. According to the statement from LVE, IFP also receives much of its electricity supply from Bonneville Power Administration. Prior to IFP, Prairie worked for various energy companies in Idaho for 12 years.

“The Board is confident in Prairie’s ability to generate even more success for the employees and members of LVE,” concludes the board’s statement.

Webb leaves in the hands of Prairie an organization that has boasted the lowest price of cooperative residential electricity in the nation for 13 of the last 15 years.