Joe Morgan is the CEO of Modern Electric Water Company (Spokane Valley, Wash.), where he has worked for over 30 years. Morgan attended the University of Idaho before deciding to pursue a career opportunity through a journeyman lineworker apprenticeship program. In 1995, he joined Modern as a journeyman lineman. He transitioned to management in 2000 and has since served as superintendent, operations manager, and assistant general manager. He became the company’s CEO in February 2016. He was elected to his first three-year term on the NWPPA Board of Trustees in May.
What are the current challenges at your utility?
Modern’s most significant strategic challenge is ensuring adequate, affordable, and reliable power supply for future residential and small business growth in an increasingly constrained resource environment. Successfully addressing this challenge while maintaining system reliability, rate affordability, infrastructure investment, workforce readiness, and long-term financial stability is essential to fulfilling Modern’s mission as a customer-owned utility.
What do you see as the current challenges in the industry?
Navigating regulatory and policy uncertainty. Evolving federal and state energy policies continue to impact public power utilities. Key issues, including transmission expansion, environmental regulations, and long-term resource adequacy have significant implications for reliability, affordability, and future power supply. Effective advocacy at the state and federal levels remains essential to protecting customer interests and ensuring long-term energy security.
How does NWPPA help your utility and the industry with these challenges?
NWPPA provides a collaborative forum that enables utilities to exchange best practices, strengthen industry expertise, and address emerging challenges through collective engagement. The association also serves as a unified voice for public power, working with regional and national policymakers to ensure the interests of consumer-owned utilities are effectively represented in legislative, regulatory, and energy policy discussions.
Any hobbies outside of the public power world?
Outside of the public power industry, I enjoy three things that rarely disappoint: travel, golf, and Washington State Cougar football. Whether it’s visiting a new destination, spending time on the golf course, or cheering on the Cougs, I enjoy activities that combine competition, lifelong learning, and the opportunity to connect with family and friends.
