WV Electric Commission Hires General Manager
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WATER VALLEY– The Water Valley Electric Commission voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Jim McClure of Lafayette County as the new General Manager of the Water Valley Electric Commission, citing his extensive executive leadership experience, deep operational knowledge, and decades-long career in electric utility management.
The 5-0 decision by Electric Commissioners comes after a three-month, nationwide search that included an external review committee comprised of electric utility professionals from the region, all of whom recommended McClure as a top candidate.
McClure currently serves as Manager of System Operations and Director of Safety and Loss Control for Oxford-based North East Mississippi Electric Power Association (NEMEPA), roles he has held since 2010 and 2019 respectively. In these positions, McClure has been responsible for overseeing daily system operations, construction, maintenance, outage restoration, and workforce management, while also leading system-wide safety, compliance, and loss control efforts.
During his tenure at NEMEPA, McClure played a key role in strengthening the organization’s safety culture and operational performance. Under his leadership, the cooperative achieved top-quartile safety accreditation scores and maintained a record of zero electrical contacts, while managing insurance claims, accident investigations, and property damage matters. He also supervised large teams of employees, coordinated mutual aid responses, conducted performance evaluations, and participated in hiring and disciplinary processes.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, McClure has served in statewide leadership roles with Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM), including membership on the Executive Safety Committee, Lineman Apprentice Committee, and Safety Accreditation Committee, where he served as one of the lead statewide inspectors.
Earlier in his career, McClure advanced through the ranks at NEMEPA as a lineman and advanced lineman, working in all aspects of electric power system construction, maintenance, metering, transformer banking, and outage restoration. He completed the TVA Power Association (TVPPA) Apprentice Lineman Program and Advanced Lineman Training, gaining extensive hands-on experience in the field.
McClure began his utility career in 1992 with the City of Oxford Electric Department, where he worked on construction projects, service work, and outage restoration, building the foundational technical skills that continue to inform his leadership approach today.
He is married to Raina Degler McClure, a Water Valley native.
“Jim McClure believes in Water Valley and in putting our customers first. He brings over 30 years of experience and steady leadership to Water Valley Electric Commission,” said Commission Chairman Brandon Presley. “From his early years as a lineman to his current job as Operations Manager for a local electric utility with nearly 30,000 customers, Jim understands every aspect of how to run an electric system safely and efficiently. Most importantly to the Commission, Jim shares the sense of responsibility that comes with leading a community-owned, customer-focused utility.”
McClure holds numerous professional certifications, including TVPPA Power Supervisor, TVPPA Certified Safety Coordinator, NRECA Certified Loss Control Professional, NESC Certification, OSHA 10A and 30A, TVPPA Accident Investigation, and American Red Cross Instructor, among others.
As General Manager, McClure will oversee all operations of the Water Valley Electric Commission, with a focus on system reliability, employee safety, responsibility to taxpayers, and customer service.
“I am grateful for the trust the Commission has placed in me to lead the Water Valley’s electric system,” McClure said. “Water Valley has great potential as a city that’s on the move and having a safe, reliable electric system is key to that progress and economic development. I look forward to working with the Commission, employees and customers to deliver extraordinary service to the community. I am eager to begin working to improve reliability and infrastructure and to make steady progress. It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this effort at this time in Water Valley’s history.”
McClure will assume his duties as General Manager on a part-time basis in January and move into the role full-time by March 1 following the completion of his transition from his current position at NEMEPA.
