A Familiar Face Returns To Lead the Cooperative With Integrity & Vision
Valley Electric is pleased to welcome Robby Hamlin to the co-op as its new CEO. Robby officially stepped into the role on December 9, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry.
For Robby, this new chapter is a homecoming. He worked at Valley from 2002 to 2009 and fondly remembers his time in Pahrump.
“This opportunity gave me the chance to come back to Southern Nevada,” Robby says. “We have family in Las Vegas, so being close to them is exciting, as family is very important.”
Anticipating Mark Stallons’ retirement, the Valley Electric Board went through a lengthy process of searching for a new CEO. It conducted several interviews before deciding to hire Robby to fill the role.
“We look forward to the fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership that Robby will bring as we strive towards continued success and service to our community,” Valley Electric Board President Michelle Caird says.
Robby’s leadership style and strong ethical foundation left an impact on the cooperative, and those who worked with him previously are excited about his return.
“Robby is knowledgeable about the industry,” Manager of System Operations Mike Geoffroy says. “He is a good leader who is understanding and has great character.
“The goals and direction we follow should be to provide our members with the best value and service we can.” - CEO Robby Hamlin
A Journey in Power & Family
Robby’s career spans multiple states and critical leadership roles. He has held positions at Alcorn Electric Cooperative in Mississippi, CoServ Electric Cooperative in Texas, and, most recently, Lassen Municipal Utility District in California. During his career, his expertise has been in engineering, operations, and leadership. He has built a reputation for improving organizational efficiency and fostering strong community ties.
His professional successes are plentiful, but Robby isn’t just focused on his job. He is also focused on family. He and his wife, Deborah, are approaching their 30th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised 3 children: daughter Rylee and twin sons, Brad and Wes, who all enjoyed their time in Pahrump. Though Robby’s children are now grown and reside in Colorado and Mississippi, they are excited about their visits back to Nevada, where their family roots remain strong.
A Leadership Philosophy Built on Service & Integrity
With a management style rooted in servant leadership, Robby believes a CEO’s role is two-fold: to set strategic goals with the board of directors and to remove obstacles preventing employees from achieving those goals.
“The goals and direction we follow should be to provide our members with the best value and service we can,” Robby says. “This method enables that.”
Robby says integrity and respect are the core values that guide his decisions. These moral principles of doing things for the right reasons and giving common courtesy to every fellow human being influence his leadership.
“These values lead to servant leadership and my belief that my job is to do everything I can to make our employees and cooperative successful in our mission of providing for the communities we serve,” he says.
A Vision for Valley Electric’s Energy Future
Robby’s vision for Valley’s future is clear: He wants the cooperative to be recognized as a trusted community partner and a utility industry leader. His strategic priorities for the first year are improving member satisfaction, focusing on financial stability and ensuring reliable services.
Looking ahead, Robby is focused on navigating the evolving energy markets in the Western United States. Many changes are coming to the energy market where Valley buys and sells power.
“Valley must stay on top of these developments to ensure we can continue to buy competitively and keep costs reasonable for our members,” he says.
Community Involvement & Building Trust
Committed to Valley being viewed as a trusted utility provider and community partner, Robby plans to focus on strengthening the co-op’s community presence, ensuring it remains a vital resource for its members. He wants to focus on the path of regaining member trust while keeping the co-op moving in a positive direction.
“To get and keep our members’ trust, we have to do the right thing time after time after time,” Robby says.
He is dedicated to attaining the trust of the membership and, as such, has an open-door policy. He is willing to hear any concerns or ideas from members or employees. He says he is going to be as visible as he can with members, community partners, businesses, and officials.
The Future Is Bright
As Robby steps into his new role, he’s eager to reconnect with the communities Valley Electric serves, guiding it into a new era of growth and service. With a focus on transparency, sustainability, and putting members first, he is ready to lead the co-op with a steady hand and an open heart.
Valley Electric is confident that under Robby’s leadership, the co-op will continue progressing and strengthening its role as a foundation of its communities. His blend of professional expertise, deep commitment to service, and focus on building lasting relationships ensures Valley is well-positioned for a future of innovation, trust, and growth.
Together, with Robby in the lead, Valley will remain true to its mission of improving the lives of the people and communities it serves.