Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ (IEC) board of directors today announced Tom VanParis as the association’s next chief executive officer. Currently vice president of member services and communications at Hoosier Energy, VanParis will become CEO of the 80-year-old organization Oct. 19.

“I am humbled and thrilled to be joining the team at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. It is an outstanding organization focused on the needs of its 38 member cooperatives. I look forward to us building on that history of service,” said VanParis.

VanParis joined Hoosier Energy in 2007, where he is responsible for energy efficiency and demand side management programs and economic development and communication activities. Before his work there, VanParis facilitated strategic planning, organizational assessment and governance projects for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) National Consulting Group. He also served as director of marketing and economic development for Buckeye Power and in various management positions at Cinergy Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Otterbein University.

“We are excited to welcome Tom as the new leader of Indiana Electric Cooperatives,” said Mark Evans, chair of the IEC board of directors. “He brings a diverse background in the electric utility industry that will enable him to forge partnerships and strengthen us to meet the many challenges facing our industry.”

Indiana Electric Cooperatives, located in Indianapolis, represents 38 electric distribution cooperatives that serve 1.3 million Hoosiers in 89 of the state’s 92 counties. The cooperatives are collectively the second largest electricity provider in Indiana. For more information about the association, visit indianaec.org.