UEC's Weston Putman completes management internship program

Putman is the fifth UEC employee to complete the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's comprehensive training.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:00am

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Weston Putman, the manager of public relations at Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) in Hermiston, Oregon, recently completed the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program, a four-week educational experience provided by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The program is designed to equip emerging cooperative leaders with a broad understanding of all aspects of electric cooperatives, including finance, communications, governance, operations, and member services.

Why it matters

The completion of this prestigious internship program by Putman and several other UEC employees highlights the cooperative's commitment to developing strong, knowledgeable leaders who can effectively serve their local community. As a member-owned utility, UEC's success is closely tied to the leadership and expertise of its staff.

The details

The Management Internship Program includes rigorous coursework, collaborative problem-solving, and the opportunity to build professional networks with peers from cooperatives across the country. Putman noted that the most meaningful aspect of the experience was the chance to learn alongside other cooperative leaders, share experiences, and challenge each other's thinking.

  • Weston Putman completed the internship program on March 24, 2026.
  • Putman joined UEC in 2020.

The players

Weston Putman

The manager of public relations at Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) in Hermiston, Oregon.

Umatilla Electric Cooperative

A member-owned electric utility serving customers in Hermiston, Oregon and the surrounding region.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

The national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide electricity to over 42 million people in 48 states.

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What they’re saying

“The MIP provided a comprehensive look at how all areas of a cooperative work together to serve respective communities. It strengthened my understanding of the financial and governance aspects of the business and gave me valuable perspective from cooperative professionals across the country.”

— Weston Putman, Manager of Public Relations, Umatilla Electric Cooperative

“What stood out most about the MIP was the people. Being able to learn side-by-side with other cooperative leaders, share experiences, and challenge each other's thinking created an environment that pushed me to grow, strengthening my understanding of the cooperative model. It helped me develop as a leader in ways that will benefit our members, our communities, and our organization.”

— Weston Putman, Manager of Public Relations, Umatilla Electric Cooperative

What’s next

Umatilla Electric Cooperative plans to continue sending its emerging leaders to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Management Internship Program to ensure the cooperative has a strong, knowledgeable team to serve its members and community.

The takeaway

Umatilla Electric Cooperative's investment in developing its employees through prestigious leadership programs like the Management Internship Program demonstrates the cooperative's commitment to maintaining a highly skilled and adaptable workforce that can effectively meet the evolving needs of its member-owners.