Business : Marlow named CEO of ECI REC

Harry Ruth, right, congratulates Steve Marlow, who will succeed him as CEO of the ECI REC.

The East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative (ECI REC) Board of Directors has named Steve Marlow, manager, Operations and Engineering of ECI REC, to the position of chief executive officer of the organization, headquartered in Urbana, Iowa. He will succeed Harry Ruth, who has led the Cooperative since 2004 and recently announced his retirement effective at the end of June 2013.

ECI REC Board President Steve Rau made the announcement at the April employee safety meeting, saying, "Harry Ruth has done a great job serving the membership of ECI REC, and he will be dearly missed." Rau continued, "The board is confident that Steve possesses the knowledge and talent to continue to move the Cooperative forward, and we hope the employees will stand behind the board in their decision. We look forward to working with him in his new position as we strive to meet future challenges in today's demanding business climate."

After the board president announced his appointment, Marlow thanked President Rau, and went on to say, "I look forward to serving the members in a new capacity, as well as having the opportunity to build upon the positive culture and successes achieved at ECI REC under Harry’s leadership.”

Current CEO Ruth said, "The board had a very challenging undertaking, and I believe Steve will do an excellent job for the Cooperative. I wish him all the best."

Over the last 18 years as manager, Operations and Engineering, Marlow has provided leadership, guidance and assistance to the CEO concerning corporate development, planning and management effectiveness.

Throughout his career at the Cooperative, Marlow has acquired knowledge in the areas of utility operations, management and risk management operations. Following his completion of the lineman’s Powerline Program at Northwest Iowa Community College in 1981, Marlow was hired as a lineman by Buchanan County Rural Electric Cooperative (a parent cooperative of ECI REC), and served as a line superintendent prior to acquiring the National Rural Electric Cooperative’s Management Internship Program certificate during his time as manager, Operations and Engineering. Marlow lives in Independence, is an ECI REC member and has 32 years of service with ECI REC.

East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative serves nearly 8,000 members within 11 of the state’s 99 counties. The Cooperative owns and maintains 2,267 miles of distribution lines and 25 substations and employees 32 people.