Hobbs served as the first CEO of 1803 and will retire at the end of May 2026. Hobbs’s career spans 48 years working with and for rural electric cooperatives. “Working with the electric cooperatives my entire career has been fulfilling and rewarding. I am committed to the Cooperative model and my work with 1803, and its Members, has been the ultimate capstone,” said Hobbs.
Hobbs worked with 1803 from February of 2020 through January of 2023 in a consulting role to help the new generation and transmission cooperative identify its initial power supply portfolio, obtain approval of 1803 as a new regulated public utility in Louisiana, and establish wholesale cost recovery and rate structures. In February of 2023, the 1803 Board selected Hobbs as the first CEO to lead continued efforts to develop and prepare 1803 to provide service to its Member cooperatives after expiration of the legacy wholesale supply contracts for each Member. As CEO, Brian has worked to capitalize, finance, and staff 1803; conduct and implement power supply planning with new capacity and energy resources; acquire transmission and delivery assets; establish 1803 as a full market participant, transmission owner, and local balancing authority in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO); and the myriads of other activities to stand up a new generation and transmission cooperative for the benefit of its Members.
“I can’t put into words my gratitude and the honor that I feel to have been entrusted with this task and for the support of the Member cooperatives and the 1803 Board of Directors,” said Brian, “and I have to give thanks to the 1803 staff, who have been the real key to success.” Regarding future plans, Hobbs said, “I will likely continue service with electric cooperatives in some capacity in my home state of Oklahoma and in Louisiana, raise some cattle, and enjoy retirement.” Jeff Churchwell, Board President of 1803 Electric Cooperative and General Manager of Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative, said, “The Board of 1803 and its Member distribution cooperatives thank Brian for his role in guiding us through the necessary steps and decisions to take control of our power supply needs, and for the success and rewards that has provided - and will continue to provide - for years to come.” 1803 successfully began providing power supply and delivery service to its Members in 2025.