Former Arkansas state Sen. Jonathan Dismang has been named vice president of external affairs for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc.
Dismang, who resigned from the Arkansas Senate on Tuesday, September 15, will begin working for the cooperatives in October.
He will succeed Bill Gossage as chief of external affairs for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas following Gossage’s retirement in January 2027.
Vernon “Buddy” Hasten, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., said Dismang’s experience in state government will help the organization represent its members and communities.
“Jonathan Dismang has excelled at serving his constituents at the state level, and he will bring that same commitment to the 17 distribution cooperatives and their more than 1 million members,” Hasten said.
Hasten said Dismang’s experience will strengthen the organization’s ability to work through complex policy issues and advocate for the communities served by Arkansas’ electric cooperatives.
DISMANG DISCUSSES NEW POSITION
Dismang said electric cooperatives play a significant role in the Arkansas communities they serve.
“Electric cooperatives are rooted in the communities they serve and exist to make sure families, farmers, small businesses, schools and hospitals have reliable and affordable electricity,” Dismang said.
Dismang said his new position will allow him to continue listening to residents, addressing problems and working on behalf of Arkansas communities.
GOSSAGE PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT
Gossage will remain chief of external affairs during the leadership transition before retiring in January 2027.
Hasten thanked Gossage for communicating the cooperatives’ priorities involving reliable, affordable and responsible electricity to state and federal officials.
“During Bill’s time with the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, he has championed our mission and core values,” Hasten said.
Gossage is a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and previously served as deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
DISMANG’S LEGISLATIVE CAREER
Dismang began serving in the Arkansas Legislature in 2009 after being elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Following 1 term in the House, he was elected to the Arkansas Senate in 2010.
Dismang served as Senate president pro tempore during 3 general assemblies. His service included 2 consecutive terms after being elected to the leadership position by his Senate colleagues.
According to the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Dismang was the first state senator since the 1930s to serve consecutive terms as president pro tempore.
During his legislative career, Dismang worked on state budgets, taxes, property-tax policy, unemployment benefits, campaign finance, energy policy, food insecurity and Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program.
His resignation created a vacancy in Senate District 18, which includes White County and portions of Cleburne and Faulkner counties.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will set the dates for a special election to fill the vacancy. The election schedule had not been announced at the time of publication.
HARDING UNIVERSITY GRADUATE
Dismang earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Harding University in Searcy, graduating with cum laude distinction.
ABOUT THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF ARKANSAS
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas include 17 electric distribution cooperatives, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.
Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., based in Little Rock, provides equipment and other services to the distribution cooperatives.
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation is a generation and transmission cooperative that supplies wholesale electricity to the distribution cooperatives.
The 17 distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 1 million members in Arkansas and surrounding states.
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