Vice President, Operations
Joshua Burns joined Umatilla Electric Cooperative in January 2024, beginning his journey with the organization as a Project Administrator. His strong leadership capabilities, operational insight, and ability to navigate complex processes quickly became evident, setting the stage for his advancement within the cooperative. In 2025, Josh was appointed Vice President of Operations, where he continues to strengthen UEC’s operational foundation and strategic direction.
In his role as Project Administrator, Josh played a key part in supporting UEC’s growth and development efforts. He collaborated closely with industrial developers, streamlined interconnection processes, and worked through regional permitting considerations with local partners. His contributions helped enhance UEC’s readiness for new business growth and supported the cooperative’s broader economic development initiatives.
Before joining UEC, Josh built a deep and diverse background in leadership and logistics. His career includes honorable service in the U.S. Air Force and extensive experience managing large-scale operational environments. These experiences shaped his approach to leading teams, optimizing processes, and supporting high-performance organizational culture.
Known for his commitment to developing strong teams and improving operational efficiency, Josh has also been a driving force behind UEC’s leadership development and culture-building efforts. His focus on enhancing the employee experience and strengthening internal processes reflects his dedication to service excellence and continuous improvement.
As Vice President of Operations, Josh continues to apply his operational expertise and people-focused leadership to ensure UEC delivers safe, reliable, and cost-effective service to its members. His passion for organizational growth and commitment to the cooperative model make him a key contributor to UEC’s ongoing success and future progress.