Sam Houston Electric Cooperative

Chief Information Officer

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative (SHECO) is seeking a seasoned executive to step into the role of Chief Information Officer. This opportunity follows the upcoming retirement of their current CIO, who has served for nearly 30 years. The preferred start date is mid-September 2026.

SHECO has engaged GreatCo-Ops (www.greatcoops.com) to assist with this search.

SHECO is looking for an on-site CIO who brings experienced leadership and a service-oriented mindset, someone committed to advancing the Cooperative’s mission and elevating the member experience. This leader will guide technology decisions with transparency and fairness, grounded in the Cooperative’s commitment to its member-owners, and ensure that every initiative strengthens reliability, affordability, and the communities SHECO serves.

The CIO leads the Cooperative's Information Technology Department, reporting directly to the Assistant General Manager and serving on the Management Team. The CIO supervises a team of 7-8 Information Systems employees and is responsible for developing and executing SHECO's technology strategy across both IT and operational technology (OT) environments. This includes oversight of corporate networks, SCADA systems and substation components, telecommunications, enterprise business applications, and NERC CIP compliance. The role encompasses budgeting, strategic and tactical planning, business process improvement, and systems architecture, with a mandate to ensure that technology investments support reliable, affordable, and secure electric service.

In partnership with Cooperative leadership, the CIO establishes and drives a multi-year technology roadmap aligned with organizational goals, evaluates system needs, sets technology priorities, and plans for capacity, infrastructure, and future growth. This leader identifies user requirements across departments, builds collaborative teams to deliver effective solutions, and assesses emerging technologies that support reliability and operational excellence. The CIO oversees system development and operations, manages hardware and software investments, and maintains strong relationships with vendors and industry partners.

Cybersecurity is a defining responsibility of this role. The CIO establishes and maintains a comprehensive cybersecurity program spanning IT and OT environments, ensures compliance with NERC CIP and other applicable regulatory frameworks, and leads incident response planning, disaster recovery, and business continuity efforts. The CIO also directs core technology operations, including system performance monitoring, backup and recovery, and end-user support, and ensures resilient communication pathways to support grid operations, outage restoration, and real-time system monitoring.

Equally important is people leadership. The incoming CIO will inherit a talented, collaborative, and highly motivated team and is expected to invest in their growth through hands-on mentoring, development, and coaching. This leader will build relationships across departments, executive leadership, and the board. The CIO will need to communicate technology strategies clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. The ideal candidate leads with purpose, drives cross-functional solutions throughout SHECO, and embodies the Cooperative's values while championing the service-first culture central to the IT function.

About Sam Houston Electric Cooperative

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Livingston, Texas, is a long-established distribution and transmission cooperative serving more than 70,000 members and more than 90,000 meters across 10 counties in the Piney Woods of East Texas. SHECO maintains more than 8,600 miles of line and is governed by an 11-member Board. SHECO is supported by modern infrastructure and a commitment to dependable, community-focused service. 

With a dedicated workforce of approximately 182 employees, SHECO fosters a culture defined by service, integrity, safety, and accountability. Employees take pride in supporting their neighbors, strengthening the communities they call home, and upholding the Cooperative’s mission of improving the quality of life for the people of East Texas.

SHECO has a long record of consistent, reliable electric service to its members and operates as a financially stable, not-for-profit utility that reinvests margins into system improvements, technology upgrades, and member programs. The cooperative emphasizes safety and operational discipline, supported by ongoing training and established safety protocols. SHECO also maintains programs focused on employee learning, professional development, and cooperative education. As a member-owned organization, SHECO is structured to serve its communities, with employees working closely alongside local members and leadership to support dependable service and the Cooperative’s mission.

About the Region

Livingston, Texas, sits in the heart of East Texas and the broader Piney Woods region, surrounded by pine forests, winding back roads, and a strong sense of small-town community. As the home of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, Livingston offers a relaxed pace of life rooted in tradition, while still within reach of larger metropolitan areas like Houston. The area blends rural charm with everyday convenience, making it an appealing place for those who value space, nature, and close-knit communities.

Outdoor recreation is a defining part of life in the region. Lake Livingston draws residents and visitors alike for boating, fishing, kayaking, and waterfront relaxation. Nearby Sam Houston National Forest provides miles of hiking, biking, and wildlife watching opportunities, while local parks and open spaces offer easy ways to enjoy the natural surroundings year-round. The region’s deep Texas heritage is reflected in community events, local rodeos, and long-standing traditions that bring people together.

Livingston and the surrounding communities maintain a steady and diverse economy supported by energy, forestry, healthcare, education, and small businesses. The presence of regional employers and access to larger job markets in Houston contribute to economic stability, while the area’s affordability and quality of life continue to attract families and professionals alike.

Livingston’s location gives employees the best of both worlds: quiet small town living with easy access to some of East Texas’s most appealing destinations. In addition to nearby Houston, the surrounding towns and natural areas offer a variety of day-trip options for dining, outdoor recreation, and weekend exploration, all while maintaining a sense of connection and accessibility.

Houston, located about 75 miles south of Livingston, offers world-class dining, professional sports, and cultural attractions, while the Texas Gulf Coast provides additional options for fishing, beaches, and weekend getaways.

The closest major airport is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), located roughly 60 miles from SHECO’s headquarters. IAH offers extensive domestic and international flight options, making regional and long-distance travel convenient.

Qualifications 

Applications from those who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Minimum of ten years' related IT experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, with demonstrated progressive leadership.
• Experience developing and executing multi-year technology roadmaps and IT strategic plans, with the ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with near-term operational priorities
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and best practices, including experience managing cybersecurity programs across IT and OT environments
• Experience managing IT operating and capital budgets, third-party vendor relationships, and technology contracts
• Experience with incident response planning, disaster recovery, and business continuity
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical and security concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, including executive leadership and boards of directors
• Ability to proactively identify challenges and develop solutions in collaboration with departments across the organization
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documentation, professional journals, governmental regulations, and business correspondence, and to present findings and recommendations clearly to managers, staff, customers, and the public
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring, coaching, and developing staff at all levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five years in IT leadership or management with demonstrated responsibility for staff, budgets, and planning
• Experience in the electric utility, energy, or cooperative industry
• Experience with operational technology (OT), SCADA systems, or substation communications
• Experience with utility billing, CIS, ERP, GIS, outage management, or work management platforms
• Experience with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or smart grid technologies
• Experience presenting technology strategy to a board of directors
• Relevant professional certifications (CISSP, CISM, PMP, or equivalent)

Compensation and Benefits

Along with a very competitive salary, SHECO’s Chief Information Officer will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) plan, the Retirement & Security Program pension, medical insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Basic Life and AD&D insurance, and Short and Long-term Disability coverage. Employees may also elect additional benefits paid entirely by the employee, such as supplemental life insurance, dental and vision coverage, accident coverage, and critical illness coverage. The co-op observes 9 Holidays (New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4^th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and 1 floating holiday). New exempt employees will receive 192 hours of sick leave upon completion of their probation period, prorated for the period of time they will be an employee that year. Sick leave may accumulate up to 65 days (13 weeks based on a 40-hour workweek). Vacation is accrued based on years of service; new employees begin with 2 weeks, and employees with more than 25 years of service are provided 6 weeks of vacation. As part of the co-op’s wellness program, employees are provided access to an on-site gym at the Livingston office.

Application Process and Deadline 

Interested individuals who meet the required qualifications must email a cover letter and resume to Monica Beavers, Director of Client Services at GreatCo-Ops, at mbeavers@greatcoops.com.In addition to addressing the applicant’s fit for the role, the cover letter must include the individual’s perspective on a key industry trend or pressure point affecting technology and cybersecurity in electric cooperatives, and how that issue should influence SHECO’s Information Systems and technology priorities.

Professional references will be requested from candidates who advance in the process. Finalists will also complete a comprehensive background check, physical, and drug screening.

To receive full consideration, applications are strongly encouraged by June 1, 2026, at 5:00 pm CT. However, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

SHECO is an equal-opportunity employer.