Umatilla Electric Cooperative has selected Lisanne Currin, CPA, as its next Chief Financial Officer, effective September 1. Currin joins UEC at a pivotal time as the cooperative continues to expand its electric system, invest in critical infrastructure, and position itself to meet the long-term energy needs of its members and communities.
Over the past decade, UEC has made significant investments to strengthen system reliability, modernize infrastructure, expand substations and transmission capacity, and enhance wildfire mitigation efforts. Today, the cooperative delivers over 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and ranks among the nation's largest electric distribution cooperatives by energy sales. As Chief Financial Officer, Currin will play a key leadership role in ensuring UEC's financial strength supports those investments while maintaining the cooperative's long-term commitment to responsible fiscal management and member value.
Currin brings nearly 40 years of progressive financial leadership experience across public accounting, local government and the cooperative industry. For the past 25 years, she has served as Chief Financial Officer for Morrow County Grain Growers, where she directed all aspects of the agricultural cooperative's financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, treasury management, forecasting, financial reporting, capital planning, lender relations, audits and long-term financing strategies. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with boards of directors, executive leadership, auditors, regulators and lending institutions to guide complex financial decisions and support sustainable organizational growth.
Prior to joining Morrow County Grain Growers, Currin served as Finance Director and Budget Officer for Morrow County, overseeing governmental accounting, financial reporting, grant administration and long-range financial planning. She also began her career in public accounting, providing audit, tax and consulting services to businesses, nonprofit organizations and public entities throughout the region.
"Lisanne's depth of financial leadership, cooperative experience and strategic perspective made her an outstanding choice for this role," said Josh Lankford, Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer. "She has spent her career helping member-focused organizations navigate growth, manage risk and make sound long-term financial decisions. Those qualities align well with UEC's mission and the opportunities ahead."
As Chief Financial Officer, Currin will oversee UEC's accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury management, risk management and long-range financial planning functions. She will provide financial guidance to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors, support strategic planning initiatives, oversee financing and credit relationships, guide rate strategy and cost allocation, and help ensure the cooperative maintains the financial strength necessary to continue investing in reliable electric service for its members.
Currin earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Montana State University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Oregon. She is a member of the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
Currin and her husband have been UEC members since 2020 and live near Heppner.
"Having been a cooperative member for the past several years, I've seen firsthand the value UEC provides to its members and communities," Currin said. "I'm excited to join the organization and contribute to its continued success by helping ensure the cooperative remains financially strong and well-positioned for the future."