The Kosciusko REMC Board of Directors announced Monday the resignation of president and CEO Steve Rhodes. Since being selected as president and CEO in January 2003, Rhodes has developed Kosciusko REMC’s role as a leader within the industry, according to the announcement. The co-op has seen many accomplishments during Rhode’s leadership. Improving the co-op’s electrical distribution system was first on the list when starting his career, resulting in decreased outage times for members. Next on the list was constructing a new modernized building to replace the inadequate old building on Buffalo Street. With a decrease in outage times the co-op’s attention then turned to increasing service reliability for members by developing and implementing a technology plan over the past five years, culminating with the Advance Meter Infrastructure project. Rhodes balanced the co-op’s need for progress with financial well-being. With his close attention to controlling local distribution costs, KREMC’s residential rates have been the lowest among Indiana’s electric co-ops and 5 to 10 percent below local investor-owned utilities, according to the announcement. Rhodes also served on the national Touchstone Energy Board of Directors, promoting brand awareness for over 700 co-ops across the nation. "This experience has been among the most rewarding of my professional career and one for which I will always be grateful,” said Rhodes, “I am leaving the members of Kosciusko REMC with confidence in a experienced management staff, hardworking employees, and a strong board of directors." Rhodes was selected for the president and CEO position at CHELCO, an electric cooperative near Destin, Florida. The KREMC Board of Directors has begun the process for filling the CEO position. Kosciusko REMC is a Touchstone Energy® electric cooperative serving more than 17,000 members throughout Kosciusko County and into surrounding counties.
