Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC) Board of Directors has announced Aaron Wheeler as only the fifth CEO/General Manager to take the top leadership role at the cooperative since its inception in 1939. Aaron most recently served HOEC as the assistant manager for the past five years and will assume the role beginning Jan. 3, 2026.
"We have had strong and stable leadership for the last 86 years and the Board has worked closely with Aaron as Assistant Manager," explained Keith Tharp, HOEC Board President. "We know he is the right person for the position as we move forward and continue the growth of the cooperative. We are proud to have him leading the team."
Aaron started part-time at the cooperative in April 2004 working in dispatch from midnight to 8 a.m., on the weekends, until he was hired full-time in February 2006 as a warehouseman.
In this role he continued learning about the cooperative model and operations. "I quickly realized I enjoyed the environment here and was interested in more responsibilities," he explained. Aaron held his associates degree at that time and with the employee education assistance program offered by HOEC he was able to go back to school to receive his Business degree from Missouri State University in West Plains.
After expressing his interest in continued growth at the cooperative, he was given the opportunity to be an integral part of the team in developing and implementing the first retirement of Patronage Capital to HOEC members.
"Patronage Capital is the margins the cooperative earns after paying all its operating expenses, which is then allocated back to members based on their usage. This represents the members' ownership in the cooperative and is used to fund operations, pay for improvements, and build equity," he explained.
Aaron worked closely with leadership and the Board of Directors through this process and began assisting in other projects as they were presented. In 2016 he was promoted to Manager of Administrative Services and in January 2021 he was named Assistant Manager.
"Since starting with the cooperative more than 20 years ago in dispatch, I can definitely see the way things have changed and improved in that time," he said. "Technology changes have continued to allow process improvements in the way we operate including the way we manage outages, work flow and utilize tools and equipment," he said.
"Safety has always been a top priority, whether it is our crews and employees or the public, and the advances in safety have been tremendous. Equipment continues to change and adapt allowing safety protocols to strengthen and protect our most valuable assets, our people," Aaron stated proudly. "Climbing gear, safety harnesses, electric shock protection and even our trucks have improved in the amount of safety that is built right in."
Training is also a great tool the cooperative uses for safety. "We continue to invest in our employees, just as the cooperative invested in me. We utilized Missouri Electric Cooperative and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association for training available at all levels – linemen, heavy equipment operators, accountants, member services, communications, member account representatives, management and board members," he added. "We also utilize monthly safety meetings with topics based on projects we are working on or conditions we are faced with, such as weather – hot, cold, snow, ice, wind, rain – or equipment changes and improvements. Safety and education truly is top-of-mind at HOEC," Aaron explained.
Through the changes Aaron has seen, he knows there is always room for improvement. "We have a very efficient team and look to use emerging technology to take that to another level and become an even stronger, more efficient team working for our members who pay the bills each month."
"I want HOEC to be a cooperative that continues to increase member engagement and serve members with reliable electricity and value-added services," Aaron said. "I want everyone to know; we want to be your local energy expert and help in any way we can."
Although excited for the opportunity, Aaron knows there are challenges he and the cooperative are facing. "Everything is expensive and costs of all goods are continually increasing. HOEC is not immune to this, but our goal is to minimize the impact of those increased costs to those who pay the bill," he stated. "Rate adjustments are not made lightly and when that time comes, we look at all factors to determine how we can make the best decision. No one likes to pay more, and that includes the cooperative, who is facing rate increases from our electric wholesale provider. We work daily to make the cooperative as efficient as possible to benefit all members."
Aaron grew up in the Howell County area, attending Fairview Elementary School from kindergarten to 8th grade and then graduating high school from Heritage Baptist Christian School that was located in West Plains. He and his wife Candice have been married for almost 19 years and have three children, who attend Junction Hill Elementary School. They are involved in many sports and activities, which keeps Aaron and his wife busy. "My only hobby is chasing kids," he jokes.
Aaron looks forward to leading the team at HOEC and to a healthy and safe 2026.
HOEC, headquartered in West Plains, Missouri, delivers cost-efficient, reliable electricity to approximately 25,000 meters in south-central Missouri across six counties: Douglas, Ozark, Texas, Shannon, Howell and Oregon. That equates to 4,932 miles of line. More information about HOEC can be found at www.hoecoop.org.
