Leadership Team

Duane joined Tri-State in 2019 and has 39 years of experience with cooperatives. He previously served as President/CEO for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI). Duane serves as Co-Chair of the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), coordinating security efforts between electric utilities and the U.S. Government.

Barry joined Tri-State in January 2004 and has served in numerous engineering and management roles. As COO, he oversees generation, transmission and energy management. In addition to his 24 years of direct industry experience, Barry served for 13 years in the submarine force of the U.S. Navy. He then transitioned to the Navy Reserve, where he served for an additional 13 years and attained the rank of captain prior to retiring from the U.S. Navy. Barry holds a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and marine transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an MBA from Arizona State University.

Reg joined Tri-State in January 2022 and is responsible for developing and implementing competitive energy services, managing beneficial electrification programs and overseeing member relations. Prior to Tri-State, he served as General Manager of San Isabel Electric Association, Inc. for 13 years and has more than 30 years of experience in the electric cooperative utility industry. Reg has a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and economics from North Dakota State University.

Pat joined Tri-State in 2006. Prior to Tri-State, he served as the vice president and treasurer of Texas-New Mexico Power Company. Pat has more than 40 years of experience in the electric energy sector. He has a Master of Science degree in applied economics from the University of Texas at Dallas, Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from West Texas State University, and is a certified public accountant and chartered financial analyst.

Elda has served in numerous human resources roles since joining Tri-State in 1997. As CAO/CHRO, she oversees a variety of service functions, including: human resources, people and culture, payroll, training, IT, cyber security, fleet, facilities and records. Elda has a master’s degree in Language and Interpersonal Communication, and is an SHRM Senior Certified Professional and an HRCI certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Barbara has served in this leadership position since 2011. She joined Tri-State in 1997 as senior engineer of environmental services and has held various positions in the company, including environmental services manager and vice president of environmental. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of North Dakota, a master’s degree in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver, and a certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. She has 25 years of experience in the utility industry and 35 years developing compliance programs. In 2017, she was inducted into the UND Engineering Hall of Fame and in 2018, was named one of the “Top Women in Energy” by the Denver Business Journal. In 2021, the Colorado Rural Electric Association named her a “Cooperative Woman in Power.”

Bob joined Tri-State in 2014, serving first as Vice President, Strategy before becoming Chief of Staff in June 2022. As Chief of Staff, Bob works closely with the CEO and oversees Government Relations and External Affairs, Communications, and Strategy. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President at Hill & Knowlton Strategies. Bob has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry and more than 25 years of experience in governmental relations, communications and public affairs. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Colorado State University.

Jay joined Tri-State in October 2022. Prior to Tri-State, he was an equity member of Sherman & Howard, LLC in Denver, where he counseled and represented clients in matters involving corporate governance, internal investigations, contractual disputes, construction law and matters related to FERC and PUC regulation. He has more than 20 years of legal experience, and began his legal career as a clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Jay has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale University, and a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. He is the incoming chair (2023-2025) of the Colorado Legal Aid Foundation.