John Cassady

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

John Cassady is the chief executive officer for IEC. Before joining IEC, he served as vice president of member and stakeholder relations of Wabash Valley Power Alliance (WVPA). Cassady has over three decades of public policy expertise, including 23 years of advocacy experience on behalf of the electric cooperative industry. He has led the congressional affairs efforts on behalf of America’s electric cooperatives as vice president of legislative affairs at NRECA and served Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives as director of government affairs.

Cassady earned a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University and a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School. He is a member of the Ohio and D.C. bar associations.

Amanda L. Barth, CCC

Vice president of Communication 

Mandy is the vice president of communication. In this role, she leads the association’s cooperative and consumer communication, Indiana Connection magazine, public relations, and philanthropy. She previously served as the association’s communication manager.

Before joining IEC in 2013, she served as the associate director of public engagement at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She was also previously the communication and events director for the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and the promotion coordinator for the Champaign Park District, both in Champaign, Illinois.

Barth is an Illinois State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations and a Master of Science degree in communication. She is also a certified cooperative communicator.

Michael Craciunoiu, M.Ed., PCC

Vice President of Education and Development

Michael is the vice president of education and development. In this role, he leads the association’s professional development, youth engagement, human resources and cooperative career awareness initiatives.

Before joining IEC, he served as vice president of chapter services for the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. He also served in roles for Special Olympics of Indiana, Indiana Department of Education, Damar Services, and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. Michael has more than 20 years of experience in organizational development and leadership coaching, serving as a learning and development facilitator and strategic business partner to executives and their teams.

Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master of Education in human resource development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a certified executive coach, DISC practitioner, professional certified coach, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator practitioner.

Jon Elkins, CLCP

Vice President of Safety, Training and Compliance

Jon Elkins is the vice president of safety, training and compliance. Jon previously served as operations manager at South Central Indiana REMC. He also served as dispatch manager and a journeyman lineman for the electric distribution cooperative and started its first 24/7 dispatch operation. Prior to joining South Central Indiana REMC, he was a journeyman lineman for Hoosier Energy.

Jon is a 2003 graduate of the Rural Electric Leaders in Training Exchange (RELITE) program and completed a B.S. in emergency and disaster management from the University of Indianapolis.

Ryan Heater

Vice President of GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Ryan Heater is the vice president of government relations. In this role, he leads the association’s state and federal governmental relations efforts, which include lobbying, political action and grassroots initiatives.

He was most recently chief of staff of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. He also served as the policy and legislative director in the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office for three lieutenant governors – Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. His professional background also includes positions in the Indiana Cable Telecommunications Association and the Indiana House of Representatives.

Ryan is a graduate of Purdue University and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He also served six years in the Indiana Army National Guard.

Deirdre Tiernan, CPA

Chief financial AND OPERATING officer

Deirdre Tiernan is the chief financial and operating officer. In this role Deirdre is responsible for the efficient and effective management of the association’s resources, policies, accounting practices and benefits.

Deirdre is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in accounting and is a certified public accountant. She began her accounting career with the public accounting firm London Witte Group. While with this organization, she served as a manager with duties focused on audit, tax and utility regulatory issues. She worked for London Witte Group for 10 years before joining Indiana Electric Cooperatives in 2001.