Cameron Smallwood, P.E.
Cameron Smallwood, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer/
General Manager
Cameron Smallwood is the general manager and chief executive officer of United. As a licensed professional engineer in Texas, Mr. Smallwood began his career in the electric industry in 1993 before joining Johnson County Electric Cooperative/United in 1998. Mr. Smallwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering with Electrical Engineering Emphasis from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to being named to head the company in 2016, Mr. Smallwood had held various leadership roles that included planning engineering manager, vice president of planning, senior vice president of planning, chief operating officer and assistant general manager.
Marty Haught
Marty Haught
Chief Operating Officer
Assistant General Manager
Marty Haught is the assistant general manager and chief operating officer of United. He has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the industry. After having served as a communicator in the nuclear power industry and at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, he joined United in 2006 as vice president of communications. Mr. Haught also served as United’s senior vice president of communications and as the company’s chief communications officer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Virginia Tech University.
Russell Young
Russell Young
Senior Vice President
Finance & Accounting
Russell Young is senior vice president of finance & accounting. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Mr. Young joined United in 2008 as a management trainee. He served as finance manager before being named to his current position.
Quentin Howard
Quentin Howard
Senior Vice President
System Engineering
Senior Vice President of System Engineering Quentin Howard has accumulated more than two decades of experience at United. He joined the cooperative in 1992 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. Mr. Howard has served as a system engineer, manager of engineering and as vice president of system engineering during his tenure with United.
Jared Wennermark, P.E.
Jared Wennermark, P.E.
Senior Vice President
Planning & Procurement
Jared Wennermark is senior vice president of planning & procurement. He has served in the Texas cooperative industry since 1994, and he joined United in 2007 as technical services/planning manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin. Mr. Wennermark is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas. Previously, he had served as vice president of cooperative planning.
Robert Bernhoft
Robert Bernhoft
Senior Vice President
Information Services & Security
Robert Bernhoft is senior vice president of information services & security. He first began to develop and expand the cooperative's key information and telecommunications systems after he joined United in 1991, while studying at Tarleton State University.
Marcellus Nixon
Marcellus Nixon
Vice President
Internet Services
Marcellus Nixon is the vice president of internet services at United. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Internet industry. Prior to being named in late 2019 to lead United’s new internet initiative, Nixon held previous internet infrastructure leadership positions at numerous industry-leading companies, among which was Verizon Media. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Cory Menzel
Cory Menzel
Vice President
Information Systems & Technology
Cory Menzel serves as vice president of information systems & technology. His varied career positions at United give him valuable perspective on multiple aspects of the co-op’s daily operations. He began his career at United in 1995, starting in system operations. Since that time, he worked in Operation's line department before becoming engineering service manager. In that role, he managed GIS systems, system operations technology and plant inspections. He is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree in Computer Information Systems at Tarleton State University.
Blake Beavers
Blake Beavers
Vice President
Member Services & Power Supply
Blake Beavers joined United in 2016 as vice president of member services & power supply, continuing an electric cooperative career begun in 2009 as an intern in the cooperative program, and that later expanded into a role as manager of renewable and distributed generation and energy services. Mr. Beavers holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University.
Kevin Keesee, PHR, SHRM-CP
Kevin Keesee
Vice President
Human Resources & Safety
Kevin Keesee is vice president of human resources & safety at United. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Mr. Keesee also has acquired and maintains the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional) certifications. After more than 12 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Mr. Keesee joined United in 2008 as a key accounts and business development coordinator. Prior to his current role, he served as human resources director.
Jeff Pannell
Jeff Pannell
Vice President
Business & Community Development
Jeff Pannell serves as vice president of business & community development. Beginning his career at United in 1998, Pannell's spent his early years in the cooperative’s operations department. Ultimately Pannell was promoted to foreman in the Cleburne district office, where he and the line crews ensured members received the most reliable service possible. In 2012, Pannell joined the member services department as the key account & business development manager until 2022, when he took on his current role.