Gary Highley

CEO,
Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative and CVEC Fiber

A true Okie from Muskogee, Gary has over 13-years experience in electric utility and broadband businesses and has over two decades of experience running business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) technology related services businesses for General Electric and Asea Brown Boveri.

Gary has served on multiple economic development boards and is a currently a Director of Shawnee Forward, economic development organization working to grow rural communities.

Gary additionally served in the US Army Reserve and National Guard for 21-years in Psychological Operations and the Corps of Engineers.  Now a retired Army Major, Gary was awarded the Bronze Star during combat operations as a Company Commander during the Iraq war in 2004. 

In 2022 Gary was appointed by the President of the United States as the Oklahoma State Director for the Selective Service System.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Auburn University.

Gary is a native of Oklahoma and currently resides in Choctaw with his wife of 29 years and three children.