The Pella Cooperative Electric Association (PCEA) Board of Directors announced today their selection of PCEA Assistant Manager Doug Stewart as the cooperative’s next chief executive officer. Stewart’s appointment will be effective September 1, 2021.

PCEA Assistant Manager Doug Stewart

“The selection of the cooperative’s chief executive officer is one of the most important decisions a board of directors makes for the members they serve,” PCEA Board President Duane Ver Ploeg commented, “With his years of experience in the cooperative industry and a passion for serving co-op members, we are confident Doug Stewart will adeptly lead the cooperative and we look forward to working with Doug as the company moves forward.”

Stewart joined PCEA in 2012 and currently serves as the cooperative’s chief financial officer and assistant manager. Prior to joining PCEA, Stewart worked at Adams Telephone Cooperative as the Lead Accountant. He holds over 18 years of experience in accounting - much of that experience is specific to cooperative accounting. Stewart is also a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 2018 graduate of the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program.

“I am honored to be selected to serve an exceptional group of employees and an organization with such integrity and excellence in serving co-op members. I am eager to see what the future holds for the co-op,” Stewart noted, “I also thank Jon for his years of service and dedication to this co-op and to the industry.”

Stewart will succeed PCEA CEO Jon K. Miles who retires at the end of August this year after nearly 48 years in the electric cooperative industry. Miles’ retirement celebration, in which members of the public are invited to attend, will be held at Pella Cooperative Electric on August 27 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.