After a months-long, nationwide search, the board of directors of Crawford Electric Cooperative has selected Michael Cremer of Cuba to serve as the co-op’s next full-time CEO/General Manager.

Cremer, 37, is the co-op’s current IT manager and has worked at Crawford Electric for 11 years. Recently, he has been expanding his administrative role by facilitating cross-departmental collaboration and leading a culture-focused employee group. Cremer’s promotion to CEO is effective immediately.

“I am very honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve our members and employees,” he said.

All nine members of the board expressed their full support for the decision.

In January, the board had announced that it would undertake a deliberative search process with guidance from an executive search firm. The effort resulted in what the board termed as an impressive pool of dozens of candidates, making the decision a difficult one.

Cremer, who has been a member of the management team at Crawford Electric since 2016, has participated in extensive leadership training through the cooperative’s national association. He also has been recognized for IT initiatives that ensure cybersecurity and enhance service to the cooperative’s membership. The youngest of five siblings, Cremer has six children with his wife, Jenni.