Robert Echenrode, center, receives the Northwest Public Power Association Excellence in Engineering or Operations Award from Jimmy Scarborough of the Jefferson County Public Utility District, left, and Rob Ferrera of Sacramento Municipal Utility District on April 11, 2024, during the NWPPA conference in Tacoma, Washington.

HERMISTON —Umatilla Electric Cooperative announced Thursday, April 18, that General Manager/CEO Robert Echenrode received the Northwest Public Power Association Excellence in Engineering or Operations Award for 2024.

The award, also known as the Milton Hunt McGuire Award, is the most prestigious award NWPPA gives for a utility employee in the areas of engineering or operations.

“Because of the high caliber of requirements to receive the award, it is not given out every year,” according to the press release from Umatilla Electric Cooperative.

Echenrode said receiving the NWPPA Excellence in Engineering or Operations Award is a special honor.

“I’m grateful for the foundation laid by those before me and the dedication of our full team as we continue to innovate and serve our communities,” he said.

The award honors an NWPPA member utility employee who has made a contribution to the industry as a whole. Examples of award-winning industry contributions include engineering or operational innovations, participation in and/or leadership on industry standards or issues and rising up to challenges the industry has faced.

“We are honored to present Robert Echenrode with this award for his visionary approach, success in managing growth and forward-thinking mindset in agricultural and industrial development,” Kurt Miller, executive director of NWPPA, said in the press release. “These qualities have positioned Robert as a luminary in the Northwest and beyond.”

Echenrode received the award April 11 during the NWPPA Engineering & Operations Conference in Tacoma, Washington.

Louis Toth, director emeritus of Toth & Associates Inc., nominated Echenrode for the award and shared the following: “With a remarkable career spanning 36 years across four electric cooperatives, Robert has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovative thinking, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the engineering and operations sector of the electric utility industry.”

“I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Robert’s exceptional contributions to our organization and the utility industry,” according to Josh Lankford, vice president of engineering and operations at UEC. “His technical expertise and strategic insights have played a pivotal role in advancing UEC’s capabilities and fostering significant economic growth in our region.”

According to UEC, through Echenrode’s diligent efforts, the cooperative has implemented innovative solutions to serve members of the cooperative. Since Echenrode took the helm in 2016, the cooperative has increased power sales by nearly 300%, added more than 20 permanent substations and switchyards and five mobile substations. The cooperative contributes its significant growth and investments in infrastructure to the leadership of Echenrode through the agricultural and industrial growth in Eastern Oregon.

For more information about UEC, visit umatillaelectric.com.