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United Power Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients
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Tuesday | May 23, 2023
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Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2023. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 20 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available by December each year.
2023 scholarship recipients:
Kaden Rademacher, Mead High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Gavin Walker, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lauren Brown, Frederick High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Hayley Howell, Frederick High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Gwendolyn Hanks, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Otis Kindvall, Frederick High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Dylan Leonard, Brighton High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Jolene Her, Prairie View High School, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
Additionally, United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 12 of these $1,000 scholarships, including four “at-large” selections.
Dedicated book scholarships for 2023 were awarded to Brooklyn Yates, Brighton High School; Megan Derby, Eagle Ridge Academy; Cullen Aasmund-Williams, Frederick High School; Trisha Hammen, Fort Lupton High School; Gabriel Pemberton, Mead High School; Margaret Anne McEldowney, Prairie View High School; Jaden Atencio, Riverdale Ridge High School; Zayne Blair, Cherokee Trail High School; Grace Finnegan, Holy Family High School; Andrew Sawyer, Stargate Academy; Austin Hane, Northglenn High School; and Bailey Chess, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School.
More information about United Power’s 2023 scholarship recipients can be found in the May/June issue of the United Newsline.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients
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Thursday | May 23, 2024
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This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2024. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available on the cooperative’s website by December each year.
2024 scholarship recipients:
Harley Baas, Branson School Online, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
Lucas Burela, Brighton High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lilliana Ritter, Prairie View High School, United Power Technical Scholarship, $1,000
Rachael Schmidt, Frederick High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Giselle Sixtos, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Alanna Snyder, Horizon High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Skylar Whalen, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 11 scholarships for $2,000 each, including one “at-large” selection.
Bright Futures scholarships for 2024 were awarded to Cody Bydalek, Weld Central High School; Elizabeth Clement, Stargate Charter School; Sydney Dawson, Eagle Ridge Academy; Paige Gibbs, Fort Lupton High School; Josh Goodrich, Mead High School; Colt Lanaghen, Mountain Territory; Devyn Nabarrete, Erie High School; Joaquin Rodriguez, Riverdale Ridge High School; Paige Walker, Prairie View High School; Nicholas Aasmundstad-Williams, Frederick High School; and Owen Woodford, Brighton High School.
More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video commemorating this year’s recipients, can be found here.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Construction of Colorado’s Largest Battery Storage System
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Wednesday | October 25, 2017
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United Power announced plans to construct its first commercial scale energy storage project.
United Power announced plans to construct its first commercial scale energy storage project. Located in Firestone, CO and developed in collaboration with Chicago based SoCore Energy, the 4 MW / 16 MWh battery storage system will be the largest facility in the State of Colorado and one of the largest systems owned and operated by an electric co-op anywhere in the country.
“As one of the fastest growing co-ops in Colorado, United Power wants to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating new technology that can help boost reliability and keep costs down. Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we’re excited to be starting now,” said John Parker, CEO of United Power.
United Power partnered with SoCore Energy to develop the project, which will be located at United Power’s west office on I-25, just south of Highway 119. SoCore is a leading solar PV and energy storage developer with a special focus on serving rural electric cooperatives. SoCore and United Power selected Tesla to supply the 4 MW / 16 MWh Powerpack system.
“SoCore worked closely with United Power to understand the objectives of the project, siting and design considerations, and performance requirements. This has been a terrific partnership so far, and we’re looking forward to getting construction underway,” said SoCore President Rob Scheuermann.
The battery storage system will store energy generated in the overnight hours, when demand is low, and discharge it during peak hours to reduce demand. Curbing peak demand will reduce costs and help improve the overall efficiency of United Power’s electric grid as it serves its more than 82,000 meters.
The Firestone system is the first of several energy storage projects that United Power will roll out, piloting an innovative “community battery” strategy, allowing users to purchase a share of the battery system’s output to directly reduce demand charges on their monthly electric bills.
“United Power was one of the first utilities in the country to experiment with the ‘community solar’ concept with our Sol Partners™ program, and now there are community solar projects all over the country. ‘Community batteries’ are the next big trend,” said United Power’s New Business Director, Jerry Marizza.
SoCore Energy’s Scheuermann agrees. “Community batteries allow co-ops and their members to address the demand components of the utility bill – the portion that can’t easily be addressed with solar energy alone. Batteries provide opportunities to reduce costs, increase choices for co-ops and their members while improving resiliency of the grid.”
Construction on the system is expected to begin in the first half of 2018.
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United Power Announces EV Charging Station in Carbon Valley
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Wednesday | April 20, 2022
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The newest charging station is located at its Carbon Valley office along Interstate 25 and fills a 30-mile gap in available charging options between Thornton and Loveland.
New Fast Charger is Third in Cooperative’s Network
Brighton, CO – United Power announced its third public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station at a ribbon cutting event on Wednesday. The newest charging station in the cooperative’s growing network is located at its Carbon Valley office along Interstate 25, just south of Longmont, and fills a 30-mile gap in available charging options between Thornton and Loveland. All three charging stations are part of the ChargePoint network.
“Nearly 5,000 United Power members own electric vehicles,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We stand committed to strategically deploying a charging network capable of supporting our members and the thousands of others who commute daily throughout our territory.”
The charging station at United Power’s Carbon Valley Service Center is a 62.5 kW direct current (DC) fast charger available for anyone who has set up a ChargePoint account. Individuals may create an account using ChargePoint’s mobile app or an activation card available through the mail. The charging station was installed with the help of a grant from Tri-State Generation & Transmission.
United Power has paid careful attention to the growing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle markets and rapid adoption of the technology among its members. The cooperative’s first charging station was installed at its Coal Creek office in 2019, and its second was added at Keenesburg’s Market Street Mart in 2021. These strategic locations fill gaps where charging was previously unavailable and made EV ownership more feasible for rural members. An online educational portal, savings calculator and additional resources are available for members interested in EVs at ChooseEV.
“Our goal is making electric vehicle ownership more practical and accessible for more of our members, especially those who live in rural areas,” Gabriel said. “We do that by considering the appropriate opportunities and the right programs that meet the needs of our members.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Groundbreaking Battery Storage Contract
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Monday | July 10, 2023
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Battery capacity key to renewable integration and load stabilization.
Battery capacity key to renewable integration and load stabilizationBrighton, CO — United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Ameresco, Inc. (Ameresco), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announce the signing of a groundbreaking battery storage contract. Under the 20-year agreement Ameresco will install a multiple site, 78.3 MW/313.34 MWh battery storage project on the cooperative’s electric distribution system.
The innovative project will strategically locate battery arrays throughout the cooperative’s service territory to allow United Power to balance its load while integrating renewable resources. The contract is just one of the many steps the cooperative is taking as it plans for the May 1, 2024 departure from its current wholesale power contract.
“The use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power system, and we are excited to be moving ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such a system,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “These battery arrays will allow us to balance our power needs throughout the day and incorporate local renewables more efficiently.”
Ameresco will provide four 11.75 MW and four 7.84 MW battery arrays, which will be located on eight different substation sites owned by United Power. The batteries, sited in Adams, Broomfield, and Weld counties, will enable the cooperative to store and dispatch power during heavy consumption periods.
“We are thrilled to partner with United Power on this transformational battery storage project,” said Jon Mancini, Ameresco Senior Vice President of Solar Project Development. “By strategically locating distributed resources and battery storage throughout their service territory, United Power will make strides toward achieving a resilient and responsive power system that integrates clean and renewable power resources for their rate base.”
United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek canyons, two of Colorado’s most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.
To learn more about United Power’s power supply transition, visit Power Supply.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern Front Range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About AmerescoFounded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes solutions that help customers reduce costs, decarbonize to net zero, and build energy resiliency while leveraging smart, connected technologies. From implementing energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades to developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources – we are a trusted sustainability partner. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, utilities, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.###
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United Power Announces Jan Kulmann as SVP and COO
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Monday | December 11, 2023
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Kulmann is a licensed professional engineer who brings nearly 25 years of experience in the energy arena, including work in the utility industry and the oil and gas sector.
Brighton, CO – United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jan Kulmann to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Now, more than at any time in the cooperative’s history, having the right people in place in our organization is critical, and Jan brings a rich combination of education and experience to this vital leadership position,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “She is the right leader for our operations transition as we step away from our current wholesale power contract.”
Kulmann is a licensed professional engineer who brings nearly 25 years of experience in the energy arena. Her background includes work in the utility industry and the oil and gas sector. She has provided direction and strategic leadership for the development of design and engineering standards and compliance programs for natural gas pipeline and electric infrastructure; the management of drilling, completion, and production facilities; and environmental, health, safety, and regulatory programs as well as strategic technical initiatives related to emissions reduction efforts, electrical power transitions, automation, process safety, and mechanical integrity.
Before joining United Power, Kulmann served as Xcel Energy’s Senior Director of Standards & Compliance Program Development where she was responsible for the comprehensive design and engineering standards in order for the utility to achieve the clean energy transition while balancing risk, system reliability, resource adequacy, and safety.
Kulmann began her electric utility career at CenterPoint Energy in Texas, where she planned, organized, coordinated, and directed the utility’s relay and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) design group, electrical and structural design group, and substation construction design standards and materials group in the design and construction of distribution substation projects across the Houston metro area.
Kulmann earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, along with a minor in music performance, from Louisiana State University and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. Additionally, she was re-elected to her second term as Mayor of Thornton, CO, in November.
“We are excited to add such an accomplished and talented employee to our leadership team,” stated Gabriel. “Jan’s experience will be critical as the cooperative transitions to a distribution system operator. Establishing this new delivery model will benefit United Power members today and into the future. Controlling all the components of the power we deliver will help us ensure reliability and stabilize costs for all cooperative members.”
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Jenna Hirsch as Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk
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Monday | August 12, 2024
United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jenna Hirsch to the newly created position of Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk.
“Jenna is an exciting hire for the cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Her background in the electric industry is extensive, and the cooperative’s ongoing focus on the safety of both our employees and the public warrants strong leadership in this area.”
Hirsch holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Science in Health and Safety from the University of Denver. Most recently, she served as the Director of Safety and Loss Control for the Colorado Rural Electric Association, providing support and oversight of safety programs for rural electric cooperatives across the state. Her diverse work history includes safety work with the electric generation and transmission industry and in the oil and gas sector.
“United Power’s focus on safety underpins every initiative of the cooperative,” said Gabriel. “The importance of our safety culture is outlined in detail in both our guiding document, Our Cooperative Roadmap, and in the cooperative’s Social Responsibility Report. Any conversation we have at United Power – with leadership, among employees, or with our board – is built on this overarching concept of ‘safety first.’ I am confident that Jenna will bring the innovation and careful oversight we need to this critical aspect of our industry.”
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United Power Announces Jonathan Aust as Vice President of Energy Resource Planning
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Monday | March 3, 2025
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Aust most recently served as Vice President of Power Operations for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).
United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jonathan Aust as the cooperative’s Vice President of Energy Resource Planning.
“Jonathan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this key position,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Resource Officer. “Since United Power left its single wholesale power provider in 2024, it is vital to have the right talent on our team to oversee this essential function. Jonathan not only has outstanding credentials for this role, but he is also familiar with the local energy delivery market.”
Aust most recently served as Vice President of Power Operations for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). In this role he led a team of more than 80 employees to support power operations responsible for supporting a seven-state footprint and two balancing authorities, delivering power to energy providers across the footprint. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Information Technology for SCADA/EMS, or supervisory control and data acquisition and energy management system, supporting WAPA’s control centers across a 15-state area.
Aust has served in leadership for a variety of key industry committees, including several representing the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). He was honored in 2022 with WECC’s Outstanding Contributor Award.
“Energy resource planning is a critical area for this cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “As we continue to build our energy portfolio, it is vital that we have the right talent on our leadership team. Jonathan will be able to help us build out and maintain our portfolio, and his deep understanding of the energy markets will help us continue to make the right investments on behalf of the cooperative’s members.”
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United Power Announces Largest Capital Credit Retirement
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Wednesday | July 17, 2019
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Retirement of $5.5 Million on its way to Members Beginning in August
In a co-op, everyone gets a piece of the pie, and beginning in August United Power will be dishing up $5.5 million in capital credit refunds to members. Upon review of cooperative’s financial position, United Power’s Board of Directors authorized the refund to members for 2019—the largest retirement in United Power’s history.
“United Power has a commitment to providing reliable energy to our members, but we also prioritize doing so at an affordable rate,” said John Parker, United Power’s Chief Executive Officer. “While we talk a lot about the benefits we provide to our members both individually and in the community, receiving something you can hold in your hands is a meaningful benefit, and one that differentiates cooperatives from other utilities across the country.”
This year, nearly 90,000 checks will be issued to residential and business members. Anyone who had service in 2018 or earlier will be eligible. While many members will receive a check, members receiving a refund amount less than $10 will get a credit on their bill. Look for your checks and bill credits to arrive beginning in mid-August through September.
Your capital credit amount is determined based on two factors: how much electricity you use and how long you’ve been a member. The longer you are a member and the more power you use, the larger your share of each retirement. Capital credit retirements have returned a steady stream of money back to members in recent years. During the past decade, United Power has been able to retire millions of dollars back to its members.
More About Capital Credits:
You might not realize it, but when you signed up to receive electric service from United Power you became a member—and owner—of an electric utility. While investor-owned utilities return a portion of any profits back to their investors, electric co-ops operate on a not-for-profit basis. So instead of returning leftover funds, known as margins, to investors who might not live in the same region or even the same state, we periodically issue capital based on how much you paid the co-op for electricity during a specified time period. Learn more here.
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United Power Announces Laurie Rydwell as CFO
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Friday | November 17, 2017
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Brighton, CO – United Power announced that Laurie Rydwell has been selected to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer for the electric cooperative
Brighton, CO – United Power announced that Laurie Rydwell has been selected to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer for the electric cooperative. The position has been vacant since the promotion of John Parker to CEO in July.
“We are excited to bring such a qualified candidate to our cooperative in this key leadership position,” stated John Parker, United Power CEO. “Laurie brings both experience and expertise to our cooperative. Her background in utilities, coupled with her strong technical background in finances will be a valuable addition to United Power.”
Rydwell most recently worked as Controller at Summit Utilities in Littleton, Colorado. Summit Utilities is a privately-held holding company that owns and operates several natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries. Prior to her work with Summit, Rydwell held several positions at Xcel Energy in Denver, managing the accounting operations for revenue, transmission, commercial, and settlements during her tenure. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, her history there included work as a controller for both energy and investment firms, and work as a Chief Financial Officer for an asset management firm in Anchorage. Rydwell is a graduate of the University of Alaska, with a degree in Business Administration, and is a certified public accountant in both Alaska and Colorado.
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United Power Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients
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Tuesday | May 23, 2023
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Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2023. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 20 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available by December each year.
2023 scholarship recipients:
Kaden Rademacher, Mead High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Gavin Walker, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lauren Brown, Frederick High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Hayley Howell, Frederick High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Gwendolyn Hanks, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Otis Kindvall, Frederick High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Dylan Leonard, Brighton High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Jolene Her, Prairie View High School, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
Additionally, United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 12 of these $1,000 scholarships, including four “at-large” selections.
Dedicated book scholarships for 2023 were awarded to Brooklyn Yates, Brighton High School; Megan Derby, Eagle Ridge Academy; Cullen Aasmund-Williams, Frederick High School; Trisha Hammen, Fort Lupton High School; Gabriel Pemberton, Mead High School; Margaret Anne McEldowney, Prairie View High School; Jaden Atencio, Riverdale Ridge High School; Zayne Blair, Cherokee Trail High School; Grace Finnegan, Holy Family High School; Andrew Sawyer, Stargate Academy; Austin Hane, Northglenn High School; and Bailey Chess, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School.
More information about United Power’s 2023 scholarship recipients can be found in the May/June issue of the United Newsline.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients
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Thursday | May 23, 2024
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This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2024. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available on the cooperative’s website by December each year.
2024 scholarship recipients:
Harley Baas, Branson School Online, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
Lucas Burela, Brighton High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lilliana Ritter, Prairie View High School, United Power Technical Scholarship, $1,000
Rachael Schmidt, Frederick High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Giselle Sixtos, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Alanna Snyder, Horizon High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Skylar Whalen, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 11 scholarships for $2,000 each, including one “at-large” selection.
Bright Futures scholarships for 2024 were awarded to Cody Bydalek, Weld Central High School; Elizabeth Clement, Stargate Charter School; Sydney Dawson, Eagle Ridge Academy; Paige Gibbs, Fort Lupton High School; Josh Goodrich, Mead High School; Colt Lanaghen, Mountain Territory; Devyn Nabarrete, Erie High School; Joaquin Rodriguez, Riverdale Ridge High School; Paige Walker, Prairie View High School; Nicholas Aasmundstad-Williams, Frederick High School; and Owen Woodford, Brighton High School.
More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video commemorating this year’s recipients, can be found here.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Construction of Colorado’s Largest Battery Storage System
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Wednesday | October 25, 2017
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United Power announced plans to construct its first commercial scale energy storage project.
United Power announced plans to construct its first commercial scale energy storage project. Located in Firestone, CO and developed in collaboration with Chicago based SoCore Energy, the 4 MW / 16 MWh battery storage system will be the largest facility in the State of Colorado and one of the largest systems owned and operated by an electric co-op anywhere in the country.
“As one of the fastest growing co-ops in Colorado, United Power wants to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating new technology that can help boost reliability and keep costs down. Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we’re excited to be starting now,” said John Parker, CEO of United Power.
United Power partnered with SoCore Energy to develop the project, which will be located at United Power’s west office on I-25, just south of Highway 119. SoCore is a leading solar PV and energy storage developer with a special focus on serving rural electric cooperatives. SoCore and United Power selected Tesla to supply the 4 MW / 16 MWh Powerpack system.
“SoCore worked closely with United Power to understand the objectives of the project, siting and design considerations, and performance requirements. This has been a terrific partnership so far, and we’re looking forward to getting construction underway,” said SoCore President Rob Scheuermann.
The battery storage system will store energy generated in the overnight hours, when demand is low, and discharge it during peak hours to reduce demand. Curbing peak demand will reduce costs and help improve the overall efficiency of United Power’s electric grid as it serves its more than 82,000 meters.
The Firestone system is the first of several energy storage projects that United Power will roll out, piloting an innovative “community battery” strategy, allowing users to purchase a share of the battery system’s output to directly reduce demand charges on their monthly electric bills.
“United Power was one of the first utilities in the country to experiment with the ‘community solar’ concept with our Sol Partners™ program, and now there are community solar projects all over the country. ‘Community batteries’ are the next big trend,” said United Power’s New Business Director, Jerry Marizza.
SoCore Energy’s Scheuermann agrees. “Community batteries allow co-ops and their members to address the demand components of the utility bill – the portion that can’t easily be addressed with solar energy alone. Batteries provide opportunities to reduce costs, increase choices for co-ops and their members while improving resiliency of the grid.”
Construction on the system is expected to begin in the first half of 2018.
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United Power Announces EV Charging Station in Carbon Valley
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Wednesday | April 20, 2022
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The newest charging station is located at its Carbon Valley office along Interstate 25 and fills a 30-mile gap in available charging options between Thornton and Loveland.
New Fast Charger is Third in Cooperative’s Network
Brighton, CO – United Power announced its third public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station at a ribbon cutting event on Wednesday. The newest charging station in the cooperative’s growing network is located at its Carbon Valley office along Interstate 25, just south of Longmont, and fills a 30-mile gap in available charging options between Thornton and Loveland. All three charging stations are part of the ChargePoint network.
“Nearly 5,000 United Power members own electric vehicles,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We stand committed to strategically deploying a charging network capable of supporting our members and the thousands of others who commute daily throughout our territory.”
The charging station at United Power’s Carbon Valley Service Center is a 62.5 kW direct current (DC) fast charger available for anyone who has set up a ChargePoint account. Individuals may create an account using ChargePoint’s mobile app or an activation card available through the mail. The charging station was installed with the help of a grant from Tri-State Generation & Transmission.
United Power has paid careful attention to the growing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle markets and rapid adoption of the technology among its members. The cooperative’s first charging station was installed at its Coal Creek office in 2019, and its second was added at Keenesburg’s Market Street Mart in 2021. These strategic locations fill gaps where charging was previously unavailable and made EV ownership more feasible for rural members. An online educational portal, savings calculator and additional resources are available for members interested in EVs at ChooseEV.
“Our goal is making electric vehicle ownership more practical and accessible for more of our members, especially those who live in rural areas,” Gabriel said. “We do that by considering the appropriate opportunities and the right programs that meet the needs of our members.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Groundbreaking Battery Storage Contract
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Monday | July 10, 2023
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Battery capacity key to renewable integration and load stabilization.
Battery capacity key to renewable integration and load stabilizationBrighton, CO — United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Ameresco, Inc. (Ameresco), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announce the signing of a groundbreaking battery storage contract. Under the 20-year agreement Ameresco will install a multiple site, 78.3 MW/313.34 MWh battery storage project on the cooperative’s electric distribution system.
The innovative project will strategically locate battery arrays throughout the cooperative’s service territory to allow United Power to balance its load while integrating renewable resources. The contract is just one of the many steps the cooperative is taking as it plans for the May 1, 2024 departure from its current wholesale power contract.
“The use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power system, and we are excited to be moving ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such a system,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “These battery arrays will allow us to balance our power needs throughout the day and incorporate local renewables more efficiently.”
Ameresco will provide four 11.75 MW and four 7.84 MW battery arrays, which will be located on eight different substation sites owned by United Power. The batteries, sited in Adams, Broomfield, and Weld counties, will enable the cooperative to store and dispatch power during heavy consumption periods.
“We are thrilled to partner with United Power on this transformational battery storage project,” said Jon Mancini, Ameresco Senior Vice President of Solar Project Development. “By strategically locating distributed resources and battery storage throughout their service territory, United Power will make strides toward achieving a resilient and responsive power system that integrates clean and renewable power resources for their rate base.”
United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek canyons, two of Colorado’s most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.
To learn more about United Power’s power supply transition, visit Power Supply.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern Front Range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About AmerescoFounded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes solutions that help customers reduce costs, decarbonize to net zero, and build energy resiliency while leveraging smart, connected technologies. From implementing energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades to developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources – we are a trusted sustainability partner. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, utilities, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.###
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United Power Announces Jan Kulmann as SVP and COO
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Monday | December 11, 2023
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Kulmann is a licensed professional engineer who brings nearly 25 years of experience in the energy arena, including work in the utility industry and the oil and gas sector.
Brighton, CO – United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jan Kulmann to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Now, more than at any time in the cooperative’s history, having the right people in place in our organization is critical, and Jan brings a rich combination of education and experience to this vital leadership position,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “She is the right leader for our operations transition as we step away from our current wholesale power contract.”
Kulmann is a licensed professional engineer who brings nearly 25 years of experience in the energy arena. Her background includes work in the utility industry and the oil and gas sector. She has provided direction and strategic leadership for the development of design and engineering standards and compliance programs for natural gas pipeline and electric infrastructure; the management of drilling, completion, and production facilities; and environmental, health, safety, and regulatory programs as well as strategic technical initiatives related to emissions reduction efforts, electrical power transitions, automation, process safety, and mechanical integrity.
Before joining United Power, Kulmann served as Xcel Energy’s Senior Director of Standards & Compliance Program Development where she was responsible for the comprehensive design and engineering standards in order for the utility to achieve the clean energy transition while balancing risk, system reliability, resource adequacy, and safety.
Kulmann began her electric utility career at CenterPoint Energy in Texas, where she planned, organized, coordinated, and directed the utility’s relay and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) design group, electrical and structural design group, and substation construction design standards and materials group in the design and construction of distribution substation projects across the Houston metro area.
Kulmann earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, along with a minor in music performance, from Louisiana State University and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. Additionally, she was re-elected to her second term as Mayor of Thornton, CO, in November.
“We are excited to add such an accomplished and talented employee to our leadership team,” stated Gabriel. “Jan’s experience will be critical as the cooperative transitions to a distribution system operator. Establishing this new delivery model will benefit United Power members today and into the future. Controlling all the components of the power we deliver will help us ensure reliability and stabilize costs for all cooperative members.”
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Jenna Hirsch as Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk
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Monday | August 12, 2024
United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jenna Hirsch to the newly created position of Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk.
“Jenna is an exciting hire for the cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Her background in the electric industry is extensive, and the cooperative’s ongoing focus on the safety of both our employees and the public warrants strong leadership in this area.”
Hirsch holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Science in Health and Safety from the University of Denver. Most recently, she served as the Director of Safety and Loss Control for the Colorado Rural Electric Association, providing support and oversight of safety programs for rural electric cooperatives across the state. Her diverse work history includes safety work with the electric generation and transmission industry and in the oil and gas sector.
“United Power’s focus on safety underpins every initiative of the cooperative,” said Gabriel. “The importance of our safety culture is outlined in detail in both our guiding document, Our Cooperative Roadmap, and in the cooperative’s Social Responsibility Report. Any conversation we have at United Power – with leadership, among employees, or with our board – is built on this overarching concept of ‘safety first.’ I am confident that Jenna will bring the innovation and careful oversight we need to this critical aspect of our industry.”
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United Power Announces Jonathan Aust as Vice President of Energy Resource Planning
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Monday | March 3, 2025
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Aust most recently served as Vice President of Power Operations for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).
United Power is pleased to announce the hiring of Jonathan Aust as the cooperative’s Vice President of Energy Resource Planning.
“Jonathan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this key position,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Resource Officer. “Since United Power left its single wholesale power provider in 2024, it is vital to have the right talent on our team to oversee this essential function. Jonathan not only has outstanding credentials for this role, but he is also familiar with the local energy delivery market.”
Aust most recently served as Vice President of Power Operations for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). In this role he led a team of more than 80 employees to support power operations responsible for supporting a seven-state footprint and two balancing authorities, delivering power to energy providers across the footprint. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Information Technology for SCADA/EMS, or supervisory control and data acquisition and energy management system, supporting WAPA’s control centers across a 15-state area.
Aust has served in leadership for a variety of key industry committees, including several representing the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). He was honored in 2022 with WECC’s Outstanding Contributor Award.
“Energy resource planning is a critical area for this cooperative,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “As we continue to build our energy portfolio, it is vital that we have the right talent on our leadership team. Jonathan will be able to help us build out and maintain our portfolio, and his deep understanding of the energy markets will help us continue to make the right investments on behalf of the cooperative’s members.”
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United Power Announces Largest Capital Credit Retirement
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Wednesday | July 17, 2019
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Retirement of $5.5 Million on its way to Members Beginning in August
In a co-op, everyone gets a piece of the pie, and beginning in August United Power will be dishing up $5.5 million in capital credit refunds to members. Upon review of cooperative’s financial position, United Power’s Board of Directors authorized the refund to members for 2019—the largest retirement in United Power’s history.
“United Power has a commitment to providing reliable energy to our members, but we also prioritize doing so at an affordable rate,” said John Parker, United Power’s Chief Executive Officer. “While we talk a lot about the benefits we provide to our members both individually and in the community, receiving something you can hold in your hands is a meaningful benefit, and one that differentiates cooperatives from other utilities across the country.”
This year, nearly 90,000 checks will be issued to residential and business members. Anyone who had service in 2018 or earlier will be eligible. While many members will receive a check, members receiving a refund amount less than $10 will get a credit on their bill. Look for your checks and bill credits to arrive beginning in mid-August through September.
Your capital credit amount is determined based on two factors: how much electricity you use and how long you’ve been a member. The longer you are a member and the more power you use, the larger your share of each retirement. Capital credit retirements have returned a steady stream of money back to members in recent years. During the past decade, United Power has been able to retire millions of dollars back to its members.
More About Capital Credits:
You might not realize it, but when you signed up to receive electric service from United Power you became a member—and owner—of an electric utility. While investor-owned utilities return a portion of any profits back to their investors, electric co-ops operate on a not-for-profit basis. So instead of returning leftover funds, known as margins, to investors who might not live in the same region or even the same state, we periodically issue capital based on how much you paid the co-op for electricity during a specified time period. Learn more here.
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United Power Announces Laurie Rydwell as CFO
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Friday | November 17, 2017
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Brighton, CO – United Power announced that Laurie Rydwell has been selected to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer for the electric cooperative
Brighton, CO – United Power announced that Laurie Rydwell has been selected to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer for the electric cooperative. The position has been vacant since the promotion of John Parker to CEO in July.
“We are excited to bring such a qualified candidate to our cooperative in this key leadership position,” stated John Parker, United Power CEO. “Laurie brings both experience and expertise to our cooperative. Her background in utilities, coupled with her strong technical background in finances will be a valuable addition to United Power.”
Rydwell most recently worked as Controller at Summit Utilities in Littleton, Colorado. Summit Utilities is a privately-held holding company that owns and operates several natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries. Prior to her work with Summit, Rydwell held several positions at Xcel Energy in Denver, managing the accounting operations for revenue, transmission, commercial, and settlements during her tenure. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, her history there included work as a controller for both energy and investment firms, and work as a Chief Financial Officer for an asset management firm in Anchorage. Rydwell is a graduate of the University of Alaska, with a degree in Business Administration, and is a certified public accountant in both Alaska and Colorado.
