GVP Board Taps Western Slope Native for CEO
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – (December 1, 2025) – After conducting a search that stretched across the nation, Grand Valley Power’s Board of Directors stayed close to home in its selection of the cooperative’s next chief executive officer: Chrystal Dean.
Dean, who grew up in Montrose and attended the University of Wyoming, brings almost two decades of electric utility leadership experience to Grand Valley Power. Most recently she has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). The federal agency markets and delivers wholesale hydropower from 57 hydroelectric dams.
“Chrystal is an ideal fit for the cooperative’s needs,” said Brian Woods, GVP’s Board President. “Her focus on serving the community and continuing to ensure GVP delivers safe, affordable, and reliable power stood out during our interviews.”
Dean will lead Grand Valley Power’s team of 46 employees, guiding the cooperative’s strategic direction through an era of innovation and change in the electric industry. “I am honored to have been selected for this role,” Dean said, “and to have the opportunity to work alongside the board and lead such a capable and dedicated team at Grand Valley Power." The cooperative serves nearly 17,000 households and businesses across Mesa, Garfield, and Delta counties. Dean will ensure that the not-for-profit cooperative continues to provide the exceptional hometown service that its member-owners have come to expect.
Dean will begin her new role after the holidays on January 2, 2026. She will succeed CEO Tom Walch, who is retiring from his position in January after 14 years at the cooperative and taking the helm of the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA). At CREA, Walch will oversee the statewide support of critical electric cooperative functions, from safety support and regulatory analysis to educational activities and legislative advocacy.
About Grand Valley Power
Organized in 1936, Grand Valley Power is the oldest rural not-for-profit electric cooperative in Colorado. Serving 20,000 meters within the Mesa County area, Grand Valley Power is dedicated to empowering lives with hometown service and delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. For more information visit gvp.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.