UEC Promotes Lankford to New Post

Joshua Lankford has been promoted to Manager of Engineering at Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC).

Lankford oversees a staff of 10 providing engineering and related services for UEC’s 2,300-mile transmission and distribution system. The utility is expanding and rebuilding its system as power sales have increased 70 percent in the last five years. UEC completed its 30th substation, located at the Port of Morrow, in 2015. Planning for its 31st substation, in east Hermiston, is under way.

Lankford joined UEC as a distribution engineer in 2009. He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Portland State University, and a Master of Engineering Degree in Transmission and Distribution from Gonzaga University. In May 2016, he completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Management Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin. He is a registered professional engineer in Oregon.

Lankford is a Heppner High School graduate. He and his wife, Kaley, live near Lexington.

Lankford succeeds Robert Echenrode, who began his new duties as UEC’s general manager and CEO in March 2016.

“I have worked extensively with Josh and have seen the contribution he has made to UEC and our membership,” Echenrode said. “His hard work, talent and dedication lead me to be confident that Josh will be successful in this role.”

Based in Hermiston, Umatilla Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit corporation owned by the 10,000 members it serves in northeastern Oregon’s Morrow, Umatilla and Union counties. UEC marked a record year of revenue in 2015, surpassing 1.5 billion kilowatt hours sold.