Stepping Away

by Tom Walch, Chief Executive Officer

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (December 8, 2025) Regular readers of this magazine know that my days as CEO of Grand Valley Power are numbered. I will step away from this job on January 2, 2026 after 14 years of service to the members of our cooperative. My hope is that my time spent here has been as positive for  you as it has been for me. I realize that the jury may still be out on this, as much of my work has focused on the organization’s long-term success, which I won’t be around to see. For example, the Guzman Power Supply Agreement doesn’t kick in for another two and half years, and we are still waiting to see what happens with grant funding projects that would provide millions of dollars in benefits for GVP members.

But some successes are apparent now, including a top-notch safety record, a service culture with a laser focus on providing great hometown service, a communication program that racks up awards year after year, and financial management that has seen our equity rise to 40% for the first time since 2010.

These successes are the result of tremendous teamwork. Everyone I have worked with here for the past 14 years — directors, management staff, and frontline team members, both past and present — have contributed to our success. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. I will miss you all.

You will not have to endure my ramblings in this magazine as Grand Valley Power’s CEO. However, I will still have a column in the magazine as executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association. I have accepted this position succeeding Kent Singer, who is retiring after 16 years of service. CREA is the trade organization that supports critical electric cooperative functions across the state. In addition to producing this magazine and assisting with cooperative communication, CREA heads up legislative and regulatory analysis and advocacy, boosts safety and job-training activities, and provides education platforms for cooperative employees and directors. I will head up these efforts starting in January, and I will close out my electric cooperative career there.

If I am doing my job at CREA right, I will continue to contribute to Grand Valley Power’s success, along with the success of all Colorado electric cooperatives. Statewide travel is part of my new role and we still will see my friends and colleagues here and across Mesa County.

As I close this important chapter of my life, I thank my wife, Theresa, for being there for me. Her steadying influence has made me a better boss, a better leader, and a better person. I also thank all the members of Grand Valley Power. You are the reason why we are here and why we do what we do.