Garkane Energy Cooperative honors the leadership of retiring CEO Dan McClendon while welcoming a new era

After 11 years of dedicated service, Dan McClendon, Garkane’s Chief Executive Officer has announced his retirement effective January 2, 2026. Under his leadership, the cooperative has grown stronger, expanded its services and remained true to its mission of providing reliable, affordable electricity to the communities it serves.

Left to right: Dan McClendon, Bryant Shakespear. Photos via Garkane.

Throughout McClendon’s tenure, the cooperative has achieved major milestones, including infrastructure upgrades to major transmission lines like the Buckskin to Fredonia line that feeds the Kane County area, and utilizing grant funding for renewable energy initiatives for three solar pavilions throughout its territory. Community programs like energy efficiency rebate programs, Half-Price Power time-of-use rates and increased financial stability are results of his leadership. He will be remembered not only for his strategic vision, but also for a deep commitment to cooperative values, employees and members alike, while maintaining a fun, transparent and respectable culture.

Board President Guy Timpson commented, “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Dan for his outstanding service to our cooperative. His steady leadership helped strengthen our reliability, our financial footing, and our commitment to serving members first. We extend our sincere appreciation for his dedication.”

As we celebrate Dan’s legacy, the Board of Directors announces the appointment of Bryant Shakespear as the new Chief Executive Officer, and he will take over November 1, 2025, with McClendon staying on until January 2, 2026, to help with a smooth transition. With a strong background in engineering, Bryant brings both expertise and a fresh perspective to the role with over twenty years’ experience at the cooperative. Bryant has served the last four years as Garkane’s Chief Operating Officer.

“Bryant brings proven experience, integrity, and a member-focused mindset that will carry our mission forward for years to come. He is the right leader to guide our cooperative into the future,” said Board Chairman Guy Timpson. “We are confident that he will continue our tradition of member-focused service while embracing innovation and new opportunities.”

Bryant shared, “Having lived in the communities served by Garkane and having been familiar with its mission for much of my life, I am truly honored to be named as CEO, and to continue to work alongside our dedicated employees and members. I am committed to continue building upon the foundation built by those who have come before me and look forward to a bright future for Garkane and the communities we serve.” Shakespear is a graduate of Bryce Valley High School in Tropic, UT and is a recipient of a Bachelor and Master of Engineering degrees from Utah State University and the Missouri University of Science & Technology He is a licensed professional Engineer and is a graduate of the NRECA Management Internship Program. He is married to Mary-Ann, his spouse of 29 years, and has raised a family of four children in Kanab and the wild places of southern Utah and northern Arizona.

As we bid a fond farewell to Dan McClendon and extend our gratitude for eleven years of service, we also look forward with optimism and excitement as Bryant Shakespear leads the co-op into a new chapter of growth, innovation and service.