Bill Gossage has left his post as a deputy chief of staff for Gov. Asa Hutchinson to direct governmental affairs for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas in Little Rock.
A former state representative and school administrator in Ozark, Gossage succeeds Kirkley Thomas as vice president of global affairs for the state’s nonprofit electric cooperatives. Thomas retired Aug. 1 after more than 24 years with the cooperative system.
Buddy Hasten, president and CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, said in a statement that Gossage was selected after an extensive search, and that his “knowledge of Arkansas and dedication to service” will help improve lives.
Gossage retired after 34 years as an educator as assistant superintendent of the Ozark School District in Franklin County. In 2012 he was elected to the Arkansas House, representing District 82; he resigned in 2016 to become Hutchinson’s deputy chief of staff for external affairs. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and a master’s from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
“It is a privilege to represent the interests of the 1.2 million electric cooperative members throughout Arkansas,” Gossage said in a news release. “My career in education along with my service as an elected and appointed state official has provided me with opportunities to assist our great citizens. My new role with the cooperatives will enable me to continue this service while advancing the cooperatives’ mission of ensuring a safe, affordable, reliable and balanced power supply for members.”
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. of Little Rock, a utility cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., which provides power generation and transmission to the system. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to about 600,000 homes, farms and businesses.
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