Svanes, Brant named to head LPEA Finance Department

Cooperative welcomes new CFO and Controller

DURANGO, Colo. –    Financial reporting at La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is now being handled by two top finance professionals with the appointment of Dennis Svanes as chief financial officer, and Keith Brant as financial controller.

Raised and educated in North Dakota, Svanes comes to LPEA from KEM Electric Company, a rural electric cooperative based in Linton, N.D. and roughly one-tenth the size of LPEA. He held various positions while at KEM, rising most recently to CEO.

“I’d gone as far as I could go at KEM, so to further my career I necessarily had to look to other, larger organizations,” said Svanes, noting that his family had a fondness for the mountains. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity at La Plata Electric.”

An accounting graduate of the University of North Dakota, Svanes also garnered extensive IT experience during his career, which includes positions with Knife River Coal Mining Company in North Dakota as well as a regional accounting firm.

Keith Brant, originally from Arizona, earned his accounting degree from Arizona State University. Moving to California, he began his financial career in Los Angeles, working for L.A. County and GTE.

Subsequently, the world’s largest international offshore marine transport company, Tidewater contacted and hired Brant. During his 10-year tenure as controller for Tidewater, he lived in a variety of countries, including Venezuela, Nigeria and most recently Scotland.

“We were ready to return to the United States,” said Brant, referencing his young family. “We had vacationed in Durango and were considering a move here when the LPEA position became available. The timing was optimum.”

The LPEA Finance Department oversees the financial management of the cooperative, including accounts payable/receivable, billing and customer service.

“Most folks don’t think about who manages the ‘numbers’ side of an electric cooperative, but it takes a top notch team,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “We are very fortunate and pleased to have both Dennis and Keith. With their extensive backgrounds, they have brought some progressive ideas that will ultimately enhance service to our member/customers and save the cooperative money. It’s good news all around.”

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its nearly 30,000 members with more than 40,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible.

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