Big Rivers Electric Cooperative
Account Intelligence Brief V2
16 contacts · 14 green · 2 yellow · 0 red · 16 need review
Battlecard
Big Rivers Electric Cooperative (BREC) is a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in Henderson, Kentucky, serving three member distribution cooperatives (Jackson Purchase Energy, Kenergy, and Meade County RECC) across 22 western Kentucky counties. With 1,622 MW total capacity (including 178 MW contracted hydro from SEPA), BREC operates coal-fired generation (D.B. Wilson, Reid, Coleman stations) and participates in MISO markets. The cooperative filed its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (Case 2023-00310) addressing load growth from industrial customers and evaluating resource adequacy, energy efficiency, and demand-side management. BREC has active FERC filings and regulatory proceedings before the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Key strategic priorities include managing merchant energy exposure, MISO integration benefits, and navigating energy transition pressures while maintaining reliable, affordable power for member cooperatives.
Account Intelligence
Industry
Electric Utilities - Generation & Transmission Cooperative
Employees
~519-525
Annual_Revenue__c
Not disclosed (cooperative structure)
Primary_Service_Territory__c
22 counties, western Kentucky
Generation_Capacity_MW__c
1,622 MW
RTO_ISO_Membership__c
MISO
Member_Cooperatives__c
Jackson Purchase Energy, Kenergy, Meade County RECC
Recent_IRP_Filing__c
2023 IRP (KY PSC Case 2023-00310)
Key_Regulatory_Issues__c
Load growth, resource adequacy, energy transition, SEPA hydro contract
Coalition Map
Bob Berry
President & CEO (retired 2023)
Duane Braunecker
Director, Strategic Planning & Risk Management
Dawna Alexander
Manager, Budgets
Luke Aull
Director, Employee Benefits & Supply Chain
Aaron Barkley
Director, Corporate Safety
Jennifer Bennett
Director, Information Systems
Jason Burden
Production Supervisor
Katie Cheatham
Manager, Accounting
Shaun Cecil
Director, Transmission Systems
Nick Castlen, CPA
Manager, Finance
Team Snapshot
C-Suite / VP
Bob BerryRetired
Directors
Aaron Barkley
Duane Braunecker
Jeff Brown
Jennifer Bennett
Luke Aull
Shaun Cecil
Technical / IC
Billy Christian
Dawna Alexander
Eric Anderson
Jason Burden
Katie Cheatham
Nick Castlen
William Boarman
Allen Bryant
Dominic Birk
Contacts
AB
Aaron Barkley
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Corporate Safety
Aaron Barkley, MS, CSP, serves as Director of Corporate Safety at Big Rivers. Recently earned Certified Loss Control Professional designation (Feb 2026). Confirmed via LinkedIn, Facebook, and KEMI (Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance). Big Rivers earned 8th consecutive Destiny Award under his safety leadership. Eastern Kentucky University graduate with expertise in electrical generation safety.
DB
Duane Braunecker
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Strategic Planning and Risk Management
Duane Braunecker is Director of Strategic Planning & Risk Management at Big Rivers. Career progression from Manager of Production Services (2012-2013) to current director role (2018+). Confirmed via multiple KY PSC filings (2012-2025 IRPs). Previously at Western Kentucky Energy. Collaborated with DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Key witness in IRP proceedings—strong strategic planning and resource adequacy expertise.
JB
Jeff Brown
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Maintenance Services and Project Management
Jeff Brown listed as Director, Maintenance Services & Project Management at Big Rivers, but NO DIRECT EVIDENCE found linking this specific Jeff Brown to BREC. Multiple unrelated Jeff Browns in energy sector (notably: Jeff Brown at Public Service Company of Oklahoma/AEP, AESP Board member, co-chair of AESP Pricing & DR Committee). Identity confusion risk is HIGH. Do not use without independent verification.
JB
Jennifer Bennett
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Information Systems
Jennifer Bennett is Director of Information Systems at Big Rivers. LinkedIn profile and 2019 annual report confirm employment. Appeared on NARUC meeting roster (Utilities Division). No evidence of demand response or DER program leadership. Limited public profile beyond regulatory filings.
LA
Luke Aull
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Employee Benefits and Supply Chain
Luke Aull directs Employee Benefits & Supply Chain at Big Rivers (employed since at least 2015). Confirmed via KY PSC regulatory filings (2025), ZoomInfo, and GRADD membership roster. Participated in employee wellness initiatives (Fitbit program, 2015). Strong regulatory filing presence indicates operational role in benefits administration and procurement.
SC
Shaun Cecil
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Director, Transmission Systems
Shaun Cecil is Director of Transmission Systems at Big Rivers (Owensboro, KY). Confirmed via LinkedIn and Wiza. American Military University education. Listed in 2019 annual report. Prior military service (123rd Civil Engineering Squadron, KY National Guard, 2005). Transmission infrastructure and grid operations expertise. No evidence of demand response or customer program involvement.
BC
Billy Christian
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Electrical Supervisor
Billy Christian listed as Electrical Supervisor at Big Rivers. Name appears in 2019 annual report and 2020 KY PSC filing, confirming employment. However, NO VERIFICATION of specific title, email, or LinkedIn profile. Multiple unrelated Billy Christians found in searches (MTG artist, MMI Direct employee, Dubai finance professional). Use with caution—identity ambiguity risk.
DA
Dawna Alexander
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Manager, Budgets
Dawna Alexander manages budgets at Big Rivers Electric (Henderson, KY). Listed in 2019 annual report and confirmed via LinkedIn (Manager Budgets) and regulatory filings. Role involves financial planning and budget oversight for the cooperative's operations. No public speaking, publications, or demand response program involvement found.
EA
Eric Anderson
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Maintenance Manager, D.B. Wilson Station
Eric Anderson is Maintenance Manager at D.B. Wilson Station (Big Rivers' coal plant). LinkedIn profile confirmed but title not independently verified. Multiple unrelated Eric Andersons in energy sector (West Monroe, SynMax, PNNL) create identity ambiguity. No conference attendance or DR program involvement found.
JB
Jason Burden
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Production Supervisor
Jason Burden is Production Supervisor (Power Production dept) at Big Rivers, confirmed via LinkedIn and KY PSC regulatory testimony. Served as witness in 2023 IRP proceeding (Case 2023-00310) and 2025 Certificate of Public Convenience case (2025-00343). Email confirmed in 2025 regulatory filing. Listed in 2019 annual report. Owensboro, KY based. Strong regulatory/operational role in power production.
KC
Katie Cheatham
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Manager, Accounting
Katie Cheatham is Manager of Accounting at Big Rivers. Confirmed via multiple KY PSC fuel contract filings (2021-2025) where she signs as Manager Accounting. Added as supporting witness in KY PSC Case 2024-00149 for information request responses. Listed in 2019 annual report. Regulatory compliance and accounting role—handles fuel procurement reporting and PSC data requests.
NC
Nick Castlen
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Manager, Finance
Nick Castlen, CPA, is Manager of Finance at Big Rivers. Extensive regulatory testimony history (KY PSC cases 2013-2020+) on financial and rate matters. Confirmed via multiple regulatory filings, ZoomInfo, and Wiza. Previously at LG&E and KU Energy LLC as Revenue Accounting Analyst. Henderson, KY based. Strong financial planning and regulatory expertise—key contact for rate cases and financial analysis.
WB
William Boarman
Green
Evidence: Green
V2
Maintenance Supervisor
William Boarman is Maintenance Supervisor at Big Rivers. Confirmed via Lead411, Datanyze, and KY PSC regulatory filing (2020) noting he 'oversaw hauling of scrubber sludge.' Operational/maintenance role with no evidence of demand response or energy efficiency program involvement. Limited public profile.
AB
Allen Bryant
Yellow
Evidence: Yellow
V2
Senior Communications Technician
Allen Bryant listed as Senior Communications Technician at Big Rivers, but NO EVIDENCE found connecting this person to BREC. Search returned unrelated Allen Bryants (Maintenance Manager at Conestoga Energy Partners, environmental coordinator at Delhi Township). Email domain matches but identity NOT VERIFIED. Do not use without independent confirmation.
DB
Dominic Birk
Yellow
Evidence: Yellow
V2
CIP Coordinator
Dominic Birk is CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Coordinator at Big Rivers. Submitted comments on NERC CIP-012 standards (2022), indicating cybersecurity/compliance role. Listed in 2019 annual report and KY PSC filings. Facebook post (2018) describes monitoring tools protecting systems from external threats. Park University education. Regulatory compliance focus, not customer-facing programs.
BB
Bob Berry
Green
Evidence: Green
Retired
V2
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Bob Berry retired as President & CEO of Big Rivers at end of 2023 after 43-year utility career. Previously served as Chairman of America's Power, advocating for grid diversity including coal. Engaged with U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie on clean energy policy. Prior role: General Manager, Western Kentucky Energy (LG&E subsidiary). This contact is NO LONGER ACTIVE in the CEO role.