WELCOMING MIKE MALANDRO AS NEW CEO

The Choptank Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has selected Mike Malandro as the next President and CEO of Choptank Electric Cooperative. He will succeed President and CEO Mike Wheatley, who will retire March 31, 2019, after 25 years of dedicated service to the Cooperative.

Mike has served as President and CEO of Prince George Electric Cooperative in Waverly, Virginia for the last four years, while also leading the cooperative’s broadband business, “Ruralband” for the last two years. The broadband project has been recognized throughout the nation and state as an innovative approach to a rural broadband solution.  Mike’s ability to work with local governments and utilize partnerships with local non-profits, state, and local governments to strengthen economic prosperity for rural Virginia has been highly popular with Co-op members and leaders alike. He has demonstrated leadership and supports regionalism to spur employment and capital investment within the communities the Co-op serves. 

Mike is a Professional Engineer licensed in the states of Virginia and Maryland.  He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University, and completed NRECA’s prestigious Robert I. Kabat Management program.  He is a Veteran of the U.S. Army and West Virginia National Guard.  In addition, Mike currently serves as director on numerous organization boards including, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), Virginia Maryland Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC), Virginia Gateway Region EDO, and Girls Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Executing a strong vision requires leadership, innovative thinking, and relationship skills,” said Malandro about his leadership style. “My passion for the cooperative business model and serving the rural communities will continue to ensure long term value for Choptank Electric ’s membership.  I am excited to be coming to Maryland’s Eastern Shore and I look forward to working closely with our Board, employees and members to lead Choptank Electric into the future.”

Malandro is slated to start April 1, 2019. “The Board of Directors and I are pleased with our selection and we feel that Choptank Electric is in good hands with Mr. Malandro,” said Jeffrey Rathell, Chairman of the Board at Choptank Electric, “he has the experience and leadership Choptank Electric needs to continue being the local Co-op that brings excellent overall service to our communities.”