Central Electric Power Cooperative CEO Rob Hochstetler honored by Rose-Hulman Alumni Association
Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. CEO Rob Hochstetler has been recognized with the highest honor bestowed by the alumni association of the prestigious Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Hochstetler is the 2024 recipient of the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association’s Honor Alumni Award, reserved for graduates who have achieved and maintained extraordinarily high standards in their professional fields and have made significant contributions to their communities.
Founded in 1874, Rose-Hulman has been ranked the No. 1 undergraduate engineering college in the country for more than two decades, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Hochstetler graduated from the Indiana-based school in 1991 with a degree in electrical engineering and started his career shortly thereafter as a plant engineer. After stops at several major utilities, he joined Central as CEO in 2014.
“Rob Hochstetler embodies the values and aspirations of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His exceptional career and dedication to community service are truly inspiring,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “Rob’s achievements not only highlight his professional excellence but also his commitment to making a positive impact on society.”
Under Hochstetler’s leadership, Central has grown to become the second-largest generation and transmission electric cooperative in the nation by purchases for their consumers. Central manages the power supply portfolio of South Carolina’s 19 electric distribution cooperatives, purchasing and distributing electricity across 800 miles of transmission line.
“I feel privileged to receive this honor and to be counted among the many Rose-Hulman graduates who have pushed the boundaries of innovation and service. This recognition will only deepen my commitment to the values instilled in me by this great university.” says Hochstetler.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hochstetler has earned master’s degrees in business administration, statistics, strategic management, and public administration. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in organizational leadership.
Hochstetler also is actively involved in the South Carolina State Guard, where he serves as a lieutenant colonel.
“We are proud to honor Rob Hochstetler with the Honor Alumni Award. His outstanding achievements and the integrity with which he conducts himself are exemplary of the kind of leaders Rose-Hulman strives to produce,” stated Steve Brady, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
For more details about the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association’s Alumni Awards and this year’s recipients, please visit www.rose-hulman.edu/alumni.
About Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, is a leader in engineering, science, and mathematics education. It offers a collaborative learning environment with a student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention, providing its students with the best possible educational experience.
About Central Electric Power Cooperative
Central is a Columbia-based not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative that serves South Carolina’s 19 electric distribution cooperatives. These independent, member-owned cooperatives formed Central in 1948 to pool their resources and purchase wholesale power more efficiently and effectively. Central and its member cooperatives together serve more than 70% of the state’s land mass, including consumer-members in all 46 counties.