ATTICA & WELLINGTON―Lorain-Medina Rural Electric and North Central Electric cooperatives are pleased to announce that Justis Clifford has been named Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for both organizations.
Clifford will be responsible for overseeing the key accounts, economic development, government affairs, and communications departments in his new role. Prior to taking on the role of CSO, he served as the Manager of Communications, joining the cooperatives in 2020 to produce and oversee the existing communications department.
“When we seek applicants for any position, not only are we looking for the highest quality individual, but we are also seeking to find the right person who understands the cooperative culture and the importance of service to our members and communities above all else,” President/CEO Ed VanHoose said. “Justis has proven over the last several years with the co-ops that he embodies all of these qualities. I have every confidence that he will excel in his new role and continue to be a great asset to the cooperative team.”
Clifford has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Muskingum University, master’s degree in mass communications and public relations from Kent State University, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Southern Indiana. He is a graduate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program, a Certified Cooperative Communicator and an Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives graduate of the Leadership Edge program.
Clifford officially began his new role on July 17 and resides in Burbank, Ohio, on cooperative lines with his wife and two children.