Warsaw, VA – The Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Richard McLendon has been appointed as President and CEO.
McLendon, who has been serving as Interim President and CEO since April 2025, officially steps into the permanent role with more than four decades of cooperative utility experience.
“Richard has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to our members during his time as Interim CEO,” said Rusty Brown, Chairman of the Board. “His decades of cooperative experience and proven vision for the future will serve NNEC well as we continue to improve the quality of life in our communities.”
McLendon joined NNEC in 2004 and has held key leadership roles including Manager of Customer Service, Vice President of Member Services & Information Technology, and most recently, Vice President of Operations. In these roles, he has overseen various departments, such as member engagement, public relations, operations, and IT infrastructure. His leadership has advanced initiatives in strategic planning, cybersecurity, rate design, renewable integration, and broadband expansion.
Prior to joining NNEC, McLendon served as a Senior Business Analyst with Lockheed Martin and began his career at Pea River Electric Cooperative, where he led operations, member services, and economic development initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Troy University and is a graduate of the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin.
McLendon is recognized for his hands-on leadership style, industry expertise, and commitment to NNEC’s mission. “It is an honor to serve as President and CEO of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative,” said McLendon. “I am proud to work alongside such a dedicated team, and together we will continue building on the Cooperative’s tradition of reliable service, innovation, and community impact.”
