Robby Hamlin, CEO of Valley Electric Association, has come full circle in his career. Originally joining the cooperative in 2002 as a system engineer, he spent eight years advancing through various roles, including Manager of Operations and Manager of Engineering Operations. After leaving for Texas in 2010, he gained valuable experience with a large cooperative in the North Dallas area, serving 300,000 meters. His career in Texas culminated in the role of Senior Vice President of Engineering Services. He left Texas to take on the role of General Manager at Lassen Municipal Utility District for a short tenure before he made the decision to return to Valley Electric Association (VEA) in December 2024 to take on the role of CEO.
Hamlin’s qualifications for the position are extensive. Holding a degree in electrical engineering and having been a licensed professional engineer in multiple states, including Mississippi, Nevada, and currently licensed in Texas, he has built his career on a foundation of technical expertise and hands-on experience. His early days involved working directly with power lines, meters, and customer service roles, which gave him an intimate understanding of every facet of cooperative operations. His background spans everything from IT functions to accounting and rate structuring, ensuring that his leadership approach is both holistic and technically informed. His knowledge of regulatory processes is equally strong, having given testimony in administrative hearings before Public Utilities Commissions and worked extensively in legislative outreach at both state and federal levels.
One of the most important lessons Hamlin has learned throughout his career is the significance of relationships. He emphasizes that technical expertise alone is not enough; establishing trust with members, employees, legislators, and local officials is essential to maintaining cooperative success. In his leadership approach, he prioritizes open communication and transparency, ensuring that hard discussions can take place in an atmosphere of mutual understanding rather than suspicion.
Looking to the future, Hamlin envisions a Valley Electric that is deeply engaged with its community. Recognizing that the cooperative is owned by those who are served, he sees its role as extending beyond just providing electricity and broadband service. His primary goal is to restore and strengthen the trust that VEA once had within the community. Over the years, financial struggles led to instability, but his predecessor, Mark Stallions, worked diligently to stabilize the cooperative’s finances and begin regaining trust. Now, Hamlin believes the time has come to shift the focus from survival to growth and community engagement. He hopes to see VEA participating in more local events, offering value to members, and fostering a sense of ownership and trust.
One key element of Hamlin’s leadership is his emphasis on communication. He reminds his team that VEA exists solely for the benefit of its members, distinguishing it from investor-owned utilities. Unlike for-profit companies, VEA is a not-for-profit organization, meaning that while it must maintain financial health, it operates with the goal of providing the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost. Any excess revenue is returned to members through capital credits. By reinforcing this mindset, Hamlin aims to ensure that customer service remains a top priority and that members feel heard and valued.
With Pahrump and the surrounding areas experiencing continued growth, infrastructure expansion is a major focus. Hamlin acknowledges that just as roads require upgrades to accommodate increasing traffic, power infrastructure must be adapted to meet rising demand. The original 138 kV transmission line, built in 1965 when Pahrump first received electricity, remains in use, but additional lines have been constructed over the years. The early 1990s saw the introduction of a 230 kV line, followed by further expansion into northwest Las Vegas. Currently, infrastructure is sufficient to meet demand, but future growth, including potential new housing developments, will require strategic planning.
Additionally, the region’s power infrastructure is influenced by external factors, including the rise of solar farms in Clark County and the construction of the Greenlink West project. This 500 kV transmission line, built by NV Energy, will connect Las Vegas and Reno, improving grid reliability. NextEra’s GridLiance West division is also building a 500kV transmission line through parts of Nevada, further benefiting VEA’s service territory by providing additional redundancy. VEA maintains an operations and maintenance agreement with GridLiance, ensuring that the cooperative continues to benefit financially from its 230 kV transmission infrastructure, even though ownership was transferred years ago.
The increasing integration of renewable energy presents both opportunities and challenges. While the basic infrastructure of electricity delivery—poles, wires, and transformers—has remained relatively unchanged for decades, the technology surrounding system monitoring and protection has advanced significantly. Real-time monitoring now allows VEA to detect and respond to power outages instantly, improving reliability. However, on a national level, the transition from fossil fuels to renewables has been fraught with uncertainty. Hamlin points out that the lack of a consistent national energy policy results in frequent shifts in direction with each new administration, complicating long-term planning.
A particular concern is the rise of data centers, which place enormous demands on the power grid. Traditional data centers required around 10 megawatts each, equivalent to 10 Walmart Supercenters, but newer facilities can demand up to 100 megawatts. This surge in electricity consumption, combined with the gradual retirement of dispatchable generation sources, creates challenges in maintaining reliable service. While solar and battery storage provide intermittent solutions, they do not fully replace traditional generation, raising questions about future power procurement.
Hamlin acknowledges that rising power costs are a reality, and VEA must strike a balance between financial sustainability and affordability for members. He advocates for incremental rate adjustments rather than sudden spikes, making cost increases more manageable for customers. By carefully monitoring expenses and maintaining lean operations, VEA aims to minimize the financial burden on members while ensuring long-term stability.
Beyond infrastructure and financial considerations, VEA also plays a crucial role in emergency response. When incidents such as fires or accidents occur, the cooperative works closely with first responders to ensure public safety. Dispatch teams are available 24/7 to coordinate with fire departments and law enforcement, responding promptly to emergencies. Valley Electric is also working with community partners to reestablish a joint cooperation committee with Nye County officials, emergency management services, and public works departments to improve coordination and disaster preparedness. These efforts will include tabletop exercises to simulate emergency scenarios and develop comprehensive response plans.
A lingering question within the community concerns the proposed VEA community center, which was promised years ago but never materialized. Hamlin is still investigating the history of the project, noting that discussions with county officials are ongoing. The initial funding was expected to come from the sale of transmission assets, but financial challenges, including a $60 million buyout of a costly power supply contract, consumed much of the anticipated revenue. With VEA currently carrying approximately $220 million in debt, the cooperative is not in a position to fund such a project at this time. However, Hamlin remains open to exploring collaborative solutions with local organizations and government entities to determine if a community center could be pursued in the future.
As Hamlin settles into his role as CEO, his focus remains clear: strengthening VEA’s relationship with its members, ensuring reliable service, and positioning the cooperative for long-term success. Through transparency, strategic planning, and a commitment to serving the community, he aims to restore trust and build a brighter future for Valley Electric Association and the members it serves.
