Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Announces Appointment of Brenda Owens as Chief Human Resources Officer

Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Announces Appointment of Brenda Owens as Chief Human Resources Officer


CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, PA – Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce that Brenda Owens has been appointed as the organization’s new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective December 1, 2025.

Following a comprehensive recruitment process supported by Decision Associates, Brenda was selected for her proven leadership in human resources and her commitment to fostering a strong, people-focused culture.

ABOUT BRENDA
Brenda brings extensive experience in human resources leadership and safety, including more than 20 years in strategic HR roles across the utility, recruiting, and health fields. Her background includes expertise in workforce development, talent acquisition, organizational development, safety, and employee engagement. She is passionate about fostering positive workplaces and driving initiatives that support both employees and organizational goals.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business Administration with a core focus on Strategic Human Resources from the University of Pittsburgh.

“Brenda’s experience and vision for strategic HR and safety will be instrumental in strengthening our workforce and advancing our work to provide our members with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity,” Northwestern REC’s President and CEO Dr. Ryan Meller said. “We are excited to welcome her to our team.”

For more information, please contact Amber Till, Director of Communications, (814) 398-5364, atill@northwesternrec.com.

Northwestern REC is a distribution electric cooperative serving 20,000 members in Crawford, Erie, Venango, Warren, and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania and Ashtabula County in Ohio. For more information, visit northwesternrec.com.