Former Missouri Congresswoman and new NRECA CEO
Jo Ann Emerson

Arlington, VA, March 1, 2013 – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is welcoming former Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson today as the Association’s Chief Executive Officer. Emerson takes over from Glenn English, who served as CEO for nineteen years. Emerson is NRECA’s fifth CEO since its founding in 1942.

Emerson brings experience in both the legislative arena – she was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 from Missouri's Eighth Congressional District – and association management. Emerson held executive roles in communications and government affairs with the National Restaurant Association and the American Insurance Association before being elected to the first of nine consecutive terms in Congress.

“I am so honored to be working for this dynamic association and for the more than 900 cooperatives that belong to NRECA,” says Emerson. “I am inspired by the difference these cooperatives are making in their communities every single day. I look forward to working with the great staff at NRECA to develop innovative programs to support and advocate for our members and the 42 million electric consumers they serve.”

During her tenure in the U.S. House, Emerson served on the House Appropriations Committee and she chaired the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Appropriations, with oversight of the U.S. Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service and various independent government agencies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the General Services Administration and the Small Business Administration.

In addition to a leadership role on agriculture, health care and government reform issues in the House, Emerson won recognition for her work on energy issues, including the NRECA Distinguished Service Award.

Emerson also co-chaired the Tuesday Group, was a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and co-chaired the Board of the Congressional Hunger Center. She was the first Republican woman from Missouri to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.