Central Electric Power Cooperative CEO Rob Hochstetler honored by Rose-Hulman Alumni Association

Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Leslie Maley to Vice President of Power Supply and Planning. Maley brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role, having been a key contributor to Central’s strategic projects in recent years.

Maley joined Central in March 2020 as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Power Supply Contracts and Audit Department and quickly advanced to the position of Manager. Throughout her time at Central, the Lexington, S.C., resident has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in managing complex power supply agreements, resource planning and contract negotiations.

In this new position, Maley will oversee Central’s power supply operations. Her responsibilities will include resource planning, power supply contract negotiations, fuel purchasing and generation development to ensure that Central meets its 19 Member cooperatives’ need for reliable, cost competitive power.

“Leslie’s promotion is a testament to her hard work, strategic thinking, and commitment to Central’s mission,” said Rob Hochstetler, CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative. “Her contributions to major projects have been invaluable. We are confident that in her new role, Leslie will continue to drive our strategic initiatives forward and strengthen our relationships with Members and key stakeholders.”

Maley’s career has been marked by her proactive approach to building relationships and industry knowledge. As she begins her new role, she remains committed to leveraging her experience and insights to further Central’s goals.

“I am honored and excited to take on the role of Vice President of Power Supply and Planning,” Maley said. “My time at Central has been incredibly rewarding. I look forward to leading our efforts in power supply contract negotiation, management, and resource development, ensuring we meet the goals set by our Board and continue to serve our Members effectively.”

Maley earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Auburn University and a Master of Accountancy from Georgia Southern University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant accredited by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Leslie is actively involved in serving her community, including as a board member of her church and as a co-founder of Play it Forward, an organization that provides sports equipment to underserved youth to promote equal access to sports.

A native of Columbus, Georgia, Maley currently resides in Lexington with her husband Kyle and their two children.

About Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

Central is a Columbia-based not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative that serves South Carolina’s 19 electric distribution cooperatives. These independent, member-owned cooperatives formed Central in 1948 to pool their resources and purchase wholesale power more efficiently and effectively. Central and its member cooperatives together serve more than 70% of the state’s land mass, including consumer-members in all 46 counties.

Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. is proud to announce that its board of directors has appointed A Berl Davis as board chair to succeed Paul Basha. Berl has served on the Central board since 2014.

As the President and CEO of Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc. since 2014, Berl has led significant initiatives that have driven progress and innovation in South Carolina’s energy sector. Prior to his current role, he served in various key positions at Palmetto Electric and South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G).

He has held numerous chairmanships including at the Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply, Inc. (CEEUS), Line Equipment Sales Company (LE), and The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. (ECSC). He is also the current Chairman of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, a board member of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, and past chair of NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network Distribution Best Practices Membership Advisory Group and its Transmission and Distribution Underground Subcommittee. Most recently, Berl was appointed to the South Carolina Power Team Board of Trustees, which is comprised of electric cooperative CEOs and Trustees representing individual cooperatives across the state.

His past contributions also include roles with the United Way of the Lowcountry, Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation Board, and advisory positions for Junior Achievement and the Boy Scout Explorer program.

Berl received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University and is a graduate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Management Internship Program from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a native of Ridgeland, SC and current resident of Bluffton, SC.

Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. CEO Rob Hochstetler has been recognized with the highest honor bestowed by the alumni association of the prestigious Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Hochstetler is the 2024 recipient of the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association’s Honor Alumni Award, reserved for graduates who have achieved and maintained extraordinarily high standards in their professional fields and have made significant contributions to their communities.

Founded in 1874, Rose-Hulman has been ranked the No. 1 undergraduate engineering college in the country for more than two decades, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Hochstetler graduated from the Indiana-based school in 1991 with a degree in electrical engineering and started his career shortly thereafter as a plant engineer. After stops at several major utilities, he joined Central as CEO in 2014.

“Rob Hochstetler embodies the values and aspirations of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His exceptional career and dedication to community service are truly inspiring,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “Rob’s achievements not only highlight his professional excellence but also his commitment to making a positive impact on society.”

Under Hochstetler’s leadership, Central has grown to become the second-largest generation and transmission electric cooperative in the nation by purchases for their consumers. Central manages the power supply portfolio of South Carolina’s 19 electric distribution cooperatives, purchasing and distributing electricity across 800 miles of transmission line.

“I feel privileged to receive this honor and to be counted among the many Rose-Hulman graduates who have pushed the boundaries of innovation and service. This recognition will only deepen my commitment to the values instilled in me by this great university.” says Hochstetler.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hochstetler has earned master’s degrees in business administration, statistics, strategic management, and public administration. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in organizational leadership.

Hochstetler also is actively involved in the South Carolina State Guard, where he serves as a lieutenant colonel.

“We are proud to honor Rob Hochstetler with the Honor Alumni Award. His outstanding achievements and the integrity with which he conducts himself are exemplary of the kind of leaders Rose-Hulman strives to produce,” stated Steve Brady, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

For more details about the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association’s Alumni Awards and this year’s recipients, please visit www.rose-hulman.edu/alumni.

About Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, is a leader in engineering, science, and mathematics education. It offers a collaborative learning environment with a student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention, providing its students with the best possible educational experience.

About Central Electric Power Cooperative

Central is a Columbia-based not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative that serves South Carolina’s 19 electric distribution cooperatives. These independent, member-owned cooperatives formed Central in 1948 to pool their resources and purchase wholesale power more efficiently and effectively. Central and its member cooperatives together serve more than 70% of the state’s land mass, including consumer-members in all 46 counties.