Co-op CEO receives Forty under 40 award

Steve Rasmussen of East Berlin was honored recently as one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2011 Forty Under 40 award recipients for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community. The award was presented during a ceremony at the Hilton Harrisburg on Oct. 18.

Rasmussen is currently the CEO/General Manager at Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc. Starting with the co-op in 1999, he became Manager of Accounting and Member Services that same year and in 2006 was named the CEO -- the youngest in the co-op's history. In 2005, Rasmussen earned his Masters of Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University.

During his tenure, Adams Electric has earned a spot among 50 medium-sized businesses in the Central Penn Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work in PA” in 2010 and 2011, taking the 24th spot in 2010. He provides leadership and management oversight for more than 90 employees and is responsible for the co-op’s annual capital and operating budgets. Rasmussen also provides oversight to a cooperative subsidiary and its investment in Aero Energy, a multi-fuel provider in south central Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Rasmussen plays an active role in the community and encourages other co-op employees to do the same. He has been a member of the board for the Gettysburg-Adams Chamber of Commerce since January 2006 and was appointed to the executive board in July 2006. He also serves as a director on the 19th District Internship Association board, The York Water Company board and the HACC Foundation board. Rasmussen will also begin serving on the Gettysburg Hospital board this fall.

“Some really remarkable people have received this award,” says Rasmussen. “I am honored to be among those chosen.”

Following the event, Rasmussen and the other award recipients were featured in a special supplement to the Central Penn Business Journal. The list of winners will also appear in the 2012 Book of Lists publication.

Adams Electric is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility serving 32,000 member accounts in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties. The co-op is one of 13 electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania.