Gary Highley

Gary has worked in the utility industry for 15 years and held leadership positions at cooperatives in North Dakota and Oklahoma where he is currently CEO of Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, inc. and CVEC Fiber, LLC. With a strong background in industrial automation and organizational behavior he is a strong proponent of leveraging smart grid technology for grid automation and structuring businesses to drive operational efficiency.

Gary brings his spirit of innovation and world class service to bear as a director for multiple industry boards including Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, and Shawnee Forward.

Gary is a retired U.S. Army Major and a recipient of the Bronze Star medal and Combat Action Badge for service as an Engineering Company Commander in Iraq. In 2022 Gary was Presidentially appointed as the Oklahoma Director for the Selective Service System.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Auburn University.