Norris Electric Cooperative (NEC) has announced the retirement of General Manager Tamara Phillips and the appointment of Luke Johnson as her successor.
Phillips concludes a 44-year career with NEC, having joined the organization in 1982 as a key punch operator. Over the decades, she advanced through a series of roles, including positions in the billing and accounting departments, before being named office manager in 2003 and general manager in 2016.
During her tenure as general manager, Phillips led several major initiatives that strengthened the cooperative’s infrastructure and operations. In her retirement, Phillips plans to travel and spend more time with her husband Richard, their daughters and granddaughter.
Johnson, Phillips’ successor, brings 26 years of electric cooperative experience to the role. Johnson’s first day at Norris Electric was April 1, 2026. During his career, he has progressed through the ranks of the cooperative system, starting as an apprentice lineman and advancing to foreman, metering technician, operations manager and general manager of Clay Electric Co-operative. Most recently, he led Tri-County Electric Cooperative as its CEO/general manager.
A native of Flora, Johnson has been married for 26 years and is the father of six children. As Norris Electric Cooperative marks this leadership transition, the co-op remains focused on its mission of delivering safe, reliable and affordable power to its consumer-members.
\With Johnson’s departure from Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Bob Hunzinger is currently serving as interim manager while the co-op searches for a new CEO. Hunzinger brings strong leadership and many years of experience to the co-op during this transition. He retired from Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative in 2025 as the co-op’s president/CEO after 11 years and more than 40 years in the electric utility industry.
