Executive Leadership
Mitchell Johnson
President/CEO
Mitchell Johnson has served as President and CEO of Ozarks Electric Cooperative since 1999 and is also President of OzarksGo. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President of Administrative Services. In 2014, he was inducted into the Palladium Executing Strategy Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership.
Under his direction, Ozarks Electric has led the way in innovation and growth. In 2016, the cooperative launched Ozarks Natural Energy, Arkansas’ first utility-scale, member-owned solar facility. The following year, OzarksGo was established to deliver high-speed fiber internet, HDTV, and telephone services to Ozarks members. Ozarks Electric serves more than 90,000 members and OzarksGo provides services to more than 45,000 customers. This fiber infrastructure has also enabled advanced grid modernization initiatives.
During Mitchell’s tenure, Ozarks Electric has experienced nearly 187% revenue growth and expanded its workforce from 130 to over 275 employees. The cooperative earned a historic 96 rating on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index in 2012 and was named one of Arkansas Business’ Best Places to Work in 2017.
Mitchell currently serves on the boards of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, KAMO Power, Springdale ARVEST Bank and the Northwest Arkansas Airport Authority. He is a past director of ERMCO, NCSC, the Fayetteville and Springdale Chambers of Commerce, and has contributed to the Northwest Arkansas Council and Northwest Health Systems. In 2022, he received the Springdale Chamber’s Civic Service Award for his dedication to community advancement.
Guided by a clear vision, Mitchell leads Ozarks Electric with a mission to power communities and empower members to enhance their quality of life.
Steven Bandy
Chief Technology Officer
Steven Bandy serves as Chief Technology Officer for Ozarks Electric Cooperative and its telecommunication subsidiary, OzarksGo. In this role, he oversees the cooperative’s information technology and fiber assets, as well as OzarksGo’s delivery of all-fiber multi-gigabit internet, television and phone services across Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma.
Since joining Ozarks Electric in 2016, Bandy has held several leadership positions, including Vice President of Member Relations and General Manager of OzarksGo, before being named CTO in 2024. His leadership has supported the growth of OzarksGo’s all-fiber network and the integration of advanced grid management technologies, improving both service quality and system reliability.
Bandy brings decades of experience in the utility sector, with a background spanning engineering, operations, customer service, and telecommunications. He serves on the Arkansas 811 Board of Directors and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences from the University of Arkansas.
