Shelby Energy announces that its board of directors has selected Jack Bragg, Jr. as the next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2018. Mr. Bragg comes to Shelby from Washington Electric Cooperative located in Marietta, Ohio. Bragg was chosen from a large pool of interested and highly-qualified applicants and selected during a comprehensive executive search performed by Mr. Roy Palk, President of New Horizons Consulting with offices in Lexington, Kentucky and Bradenton, Florida.

Mr. Bragg is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant. He holds master’s degrees of Accountancy and Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University along with bachelor’s degrees of Accounting and Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky. Bragg is an experienced utility professional with a wide array of skills developed across a broad spectrum of utility operations.

Bragg served as the General Manager/CEO at Washington Electric Cooperative in Marietta, Ohio since January 2016. He previously held the position of Vice President of Finance & Support Services at Northern Kentucky Water District in Erlanger, Kentucky from October 2005 to December 2015. In addition, Bragg served as the Chief Financial Officer at Owen Electric Cooperative in Owenton, Kentucky from November 1999 to October 2005.

His transition to Shelby Energy will begin during November 2018, to replace retiring President and CEO, Debra Martin. Martin will remain employed as a special advisor until her retirement on January 2, 2019. In his role as President and CEO, Bragg will be Shelby’s representative in business and political settings, accomplish strategic initiatives established by the Board and direct overall operations of Shelby Energy.

Retiring CEO Martin said, “I’m very pleased with the selection of Jack Bragg to lead our cooperative. I’ve known Jack for a number of years and his ethics, business knowledge and professional behavior will be an asset to our members and our employees.”

“Shelby Energy is fortunate to have someone of Jack Bragg’s caliber and experience as our next President and CEO. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job that will serve Shelby Energy well in the years ahead,” said Chairman Ashley Chilton.

Bragg shared, “I am honored and excited to lead Shelby Energy. Shelby’s mission is providing members with safe, reliable and cost-effective energy, and I look forward to continuing that mission for the future and working for the best of the members.”