Meade County RECC’s Marty Littrel begins 6-year service
For the first time in more than 50 years, a Kentucky electric co-op leader has been elected to a leadership position with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Marty Littrel, president and CEO of Meade County RECC, was elected secretary-treasurer during the NRECA board meeting in Atlanta earlier this month. Under the organization’s succession plan, Littrel will serve two years in his current post, two years as vice president, then in 2029 will be in line to serve as NRECA president.
“I am flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues to serve as the secretary-treasurer of the NRECA board of directors,” Littrel said. “I am especially honored, considering it’s been several decades since a Kentuckian has received this national leadership opportunity. It’s a privilege serving alongside the other 47 members on the NRECA board to advocate on important energy issues impacting our country.”
Despite Kentucky’s significant role in the 90 years of rural electrification, only two men with connections to Kentucky co-ops have served in NRECA leadership positions. In the late 1960s, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative General Manager Hobart Adams served as both secretary-treasurer and vice-president. And in 1971-72, Louis Strong served as NRECA president while beginning his tenure as general manager of the statewide association of Kentucky co-ops.
“Throughout his more than 20 years working in this industry, Marty has become a passionate advocate for the consumer-members served by Kentucky’s electric co-ops,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “He brings invaluable experience, a record of building consensus and a commitment to meeting the challenges of an evolving energy landscape.”
For nearly 10 years, Littrel has served as president and CEO of Meade County RECC. Prior to that, he led communications, strategic planning, risk management and government relations at Big Rivers Electric.
“I look forward to working in this role to ensure we as electric cooperatives are committed to handling the looming energy challenges, while continuing to provide affordable and always reliable power to our rural co-op members across the nation, and back here in Kentucky,” Littrel said.
The other national officers are NRECA President Mike Partin, president and CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in Tennessee, and Vice President Ingrid Kessler, director at Lane Electric Cooperative in Oregon.
“I am thankful to the Meade County RECC board of directors for allowing me the opportunity to highlight our statewide and regional needs at the national level,” Littrel said. “They understand my new role provides our organization a voice in unity with NRECA, America’s strongest advocate for co-ops.”
