DMEA Strengthens Leadership Team with New CFO

DMEA Strengthens Leadership Team with New CFO

Gayle Gouker joins DMEA as Chief Financial Officer

MONTROSE, CO, DECEMBER 30, 2021 – Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) has appointed Gayle Gouker as the co-op's Chief Financial Officer. Gouker is responsible for the finance and accounting divisions of DMEA and the cooperative's fiber internet subsidiary, Elevate. She began her position on December 13, 2021.

Gouker brings both electric cooperative and telecom experience to DMEA. She served for the past eight years as Manager of Financial Services at Navopache Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Lakeside, Arizona. Her responsibilities included overseeing member billing, strategic planning and execution, and financial forecasting. Prior to Navopache, Gouker worked for 17 years in the telecommunications industry as a Controller and Chief Financial Officer for CellularOne in Show Low, Arizona. Gouker is a Certified Public Accountant and has 25 years of combined experience in finance, accounting, and compliance.

"Gayle is an experienced financial executive in both the electric and telecommunication industries. Her knowledgeable perspective will help DMEA and Elevate continue successfully meeting the needs of our local communities," said Alyssa Clemsen Roberts, DMEA's Chief Executive Officer.  

"DMEA has an impressive track record for serving its members. It is transforming the communities it serves for the better through high-speed broadband and innovation in energy generation. I am excited for the opportunity to join such a dedicated team," said Gouker. 

Gouker joins DMEA's leadership team as it embarks on two major initiatives. In August, the Rural Utilities Service awarded the co-op $10.5 Million in grant funds to expand its fiber-optic network an additional 261 miles to bring Elevate Internet to the rural homes, farms, and businesses in Pea Green and southern Delta County. In addition, Guzman Energy, DMEA's wholesale power supplier, is developing the region's first large-scale renewable energy generation project—an 80-megawatt solar array in Delta County. DMEA will purchase a significant portion of the plant's output, increasing the cooperative's locally sourced renewable energy to 20%.