The High West Energy Board of Directors has unanimously selected Jared Routh to lead the co-op as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.

High West’s previous CEO stepped down at the end of March to accept another position. Since then, the Board began conducting a three-month nationwide search for the organization’s next leader. The Board announced their decision to High West employees in July, and Routh will begin his tenure later this month.

“One of the things that came through clearly during our search was that Mr. Routh loves the cooperative business model,” said High West Board President Ed Prosser. “He brings expertise in a diverse range of fields, and his strong leadership skills will enable High West Energy to continue its current path of success.”

“I thank the Board for this remarkable opportunity, and I am excited to get to know the employees and the members, and to do my part to help High West Energy maintain its high standards,” said Routh. “I understand High West plays an essential role in this growing community, and my responsibility is to do the best job I can to put our employees and this co-op in a position to prosper.”

Prior to accepting the CEO position, Routh served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Cooperative Services at Shelby Energy Cooperative in Shelbyville, Kentucky, which has more than 17,000 accounts. Before working at Shelby, Mr. Routh served in a variety of capacities at Jackson County REMC, an Indiana co-op with more than 20,000 members.

He started his career outside of the utility industry in construction management, overseeing projects with $100 million budgets and teams comprised of 250 people.

Throughout his career, Mr. Routh has developed expertise in engineering, operations, construction, cost-of-service billing, finance, information technology, demand-side management, and energy efficiency. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction Management from Purdue University, and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University Southeast.

Mr. Routh is a native of Campbellsburg, Indiana. He and his wife of 10 years, Michelle, are excited about relocating to Pine Bluffs, and they will arrive in Wyoming in early August. Mr. Routh’s first day as CEO will be Aug. 9.