About Us

Executive Bios

Duane D. Highley

Duane D. Highley is president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI). He assumed the position in November 2011.

A 28-year veteran in the utility industry, Highley served as director of power production at Associated Electric Cooperative in Springfield, Mo. before assuming his current position. He is a registered professional engineer with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) and has completed the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Robert M. Lyford

Robert M. Lyford is senior vice president and general counsel of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI). Previously, he served as vice president and general counsel and as staff attorney for the cooperatives. Lyford received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Hendrix College, a juris doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University, and a diploma in criminology from the University of Cambridge.

Michael W. Henderson

Michael W. Henderson is vice president and chief financial officer of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI). Previously, he served as manager of treasury for AECC. He has been employed by AECC since 1984. Before joining AECC, he worked for Associated Natural Gas Co. and the Arkansas Public Service Commission. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Arkansas State University in 1981. He is a certified public accountant.

Carmie Henry

Carmie Henry joined Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI) in August of 1997 as vice president of governmental affairs. Henry, a former professional staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, has more than 22 years of experience on the staffs of three United States senators and the Arkansas secretary of state. He received a B.B.A. degree in accounting from the University of Central Arkansas and is a retired Naval flight officer with the rank of captain.

Patrick McClafferty

Patrick McClafferty has been vice president of the Utility Sales and Services Division of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI) since October 1994. Prior to assuming this position, McClafferty was sales manager of the Diversified Electric Supply Co. He received a bachelor's degree in social science from Harding University in 1975 and has 20 years experience in the electric utility industry.

Robert H. McClanahan

Robert H. McClanahan is vice president of information technology for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI). Prior to his promotion, McClanahan was manager of technical information systems for AECC. He has been employed by AECC since 1981. He has a bachelor's degree in physics and computer science from Henderson State University.

L. Douglas White

Doug White is vice president of systems services for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI). both headquartered in Little Rock. He is responsible for the conception, development, implementation and measurement of the marketing and communications functions for the organization on behalf of its owner systems. In addition, White manages the cooperatives’ economic development and safety programs. White has more than 20 year’s experience in the electric utility and cooperative industry. Doug holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and has completed coursework toward a master’s degree in linguistics from Oklahoma State University.

White serves in leadership positions on a variety of industry task forces and committees. His work in the advertising and marketing fields have won numerous Addys, as well as “Best of Show” both regionally and nationally. He sits on the boards of the Better Business Bureau, the Baptist Health Foundation Bolo Bash Committee and Ronald McDonald House of Central Arkansas.

Ricky R. Bittle

Ricky R. Bittle is vice president of planning, rates and dispatching for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC). Since 1974 he has served in various positions in the planning area, most recently as director of the former Planning, Rates and Dispatching Department of AECC. Bittle received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1971 and is a registered professional engineer.

Jonathan Oliver

Jonathan Oliver is vice president of engineering, construction and operations for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC). Oliver, a resident of Little Rock, joined AECC in 1995 and served in a variety of engineering and construction roles prior to being named vice president in the fall of 2008. Oliver has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a professional engineer, master electrician, project management professional and active member of many industry associations.

Sandra Byrd

Sandra Byrd joined Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) in August 2007 as vice president of strategic affairs, a new position on the cooperative's senior staff. She came to AECC from the Arkansas Public Service Commission where she had served as chairman and as a member for eight and a half years. She has more than 22 years in the field of utility regulation, beginning her career as an associate with the Mitchell Law Firm in Little Rock. Next, she served 12 years as assistant general counsel for Arkla, Inc., now Centerpoint Energy. She served as executive director of the Arkansas Public Service Commission prior to being named chairman of the commission.