Meet the Team

Varzavand Irani, Chief Executive Officer

Varzavand "Avan" Irani assumed the position of CEO in September 2019 and is NEC's seventh CEO since opening its doors in 1938. Irani steps into the role of Chief Executive Officer after serving the members of NEC for 16 years. Irani began his career at NEC in 2003 as Project Manager/Distribution Engineer. In 2011, he was promoted to the role of Chief Operations Officer in which he assisted in strategic growth and managed operational aspects of the Co-op.

Irani earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bombay in India, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and completed a Master of Business Administration with a Certification in Energy Finance and Logistics from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, he is also a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas.

Adriana Pena, Chief Financial Officer

Adriana Pena is NEC’s Chief Financial Officer. Pena has worked for NEC for over two decades. Adriana began her career with NEC in 1998 as New Service Coordinator. She held several positions at the Cooperative prior to being named Chief Financial Officer in 2017.

As CFO, Adriana directs and controls the financial and accounting functions, practices, and procedures of the Cooperative to ensure a sound financial position and achievement of short and long-term goals. She oversees the Accounting, Member Care, Plant Facilities and Maintenance Departments at NEC.

Adriana is a graduate of Texas A&M University, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in Agricultural Business. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University Kingsville with Certification in Accounting Logistics and Energy Finance. She has a Cooperative Financial Professional Certificate.

Frank Wilson, Chief Retail Officer

Frank Wilson began his career with NEC in 1993 as a Staking Technician. In 1994 he was promoted to Manager of Member Services and Chief Retail Officer in 2004. In this role Wilson oversees NECs retail division and it's day to day operations as well as rates, budget, policies, and procedures, hiring and management of employees, and contracts. He has also served on the ERCOT/RMS Committee since 2004 and was instrumental in NEC becoming the first electric cooperative in Texas to voluntary deregulate. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi.

Sergey Seryogin, Technical Services Manager

Sergey Seryogin started with NEC as a System Analyst in the I.T. Department in 2006. After 3 years developing his knowledge and skill within the I.T. realm of the electric utilities industry, he was promoted to Director of the I.T. Department. Sergey now serves as NEC’s Technical Services Manager leading and supporting the I.T. department, Engineering, and Metering ensuring optimal performance of operational systems and member satisfaction. In 2009, Sergey obtained an Associate’s degree in Information Systems Security at Del Mar College followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Leadership from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi in 2021. Most recently, he earned his Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Manuel Mayorga, Line Superintendent

Manuel Mayorga is NEC's Line Superintendent. While managing the Operations department, Manuel is responsible for the new construction and maintenance of NEC's distribution system. He joined NEC in 1990 and was promoted to his current role in 2013. Prior to joining NEC, Manuel enrolled in the power delivery program through Northwest Lineman College where he completed and obtained his lineman certification.

Joanna Prado, Human Resources & Corporate Comm. Manager

Joanna Prado is the Human Resources & Corporate Communications Manager for Nueces Electric Cooperative. Her career with NEC began in 2016. As the Human Resources & Corporate Communications Manager, Joanna plans, manages, and administers the human resource function of the cooperative for the purpose of recruiting, developing and retaining an effective workforce to meet the mission of the Cooperative. She also effectively and efficiently markets the Cooperative and its products and services and promotes a positive, collaborative, and respectful organizational culture and member and public relations. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Joanna obtained her certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) in 2022.

Joe Huerta III, Safety & Loss Control Manager

Joe Huerta III is NEC's Safety & Loss Control Manager. He has nearly two decades of electric utility experience. He joined NEC in 2011 as a groundman/apprentice. Shortly after joining NEC, he completed his apprenticeship program and became a Journeyman Lineman for our Orange Grove Service Center. In 2015, he was promoted to District Supervisor and has served as NEC's Safety and Loss Control Manager since 2017. His responsibilities include implementing organizational safety programs to ensure a safe, healthy, and accident-free work environment. Prior to joining NEC has worked for Medina Electric Cooperative as a Class A Lineman. Joe is also a Certified Loss Control Professional.

Vicky Garcia, Member Care Manager

Veronica “Vicky” Garcia is NEC’s Member Care Manager. Vicky has worked for NEC for more than 12 years. She began her career as a District Office Coordinator in 2008 at the Ricardo Service Center and continued at the Ben Bolt Service Center in 2012. In 2016, she was promoted to Member Care Assistant Manager, where she assisted in all new service, billing, and cashier activities.

On June 1, 2024, Vicky was promoted to Member Care Manager. She looks forward to a successful tenure in her new role. Vicky earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Sociology and recently earned her Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in December 2021.

Dorina Villarreal, Executive Assistant

Dorina Villarreal joined NEC in October 2022 bringing her 10+ years’ experience of detailed client service, office administration, calendaring, and creative projects. By focusing on the organizational needs within the executive department, Dorina has been able to put the Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi to good use. Along with efforts in the coordination between senior staff and the Board of Directors, as the Executive Assistant, Dorina is motivated by behind-the-scenes functions, believing that each task can be unique and deserving of attention to detail.

Jose Espinoza-Torres, Engineering Supervisor

Jesus Olivarez, Physical Plant Supervisor

Jesus Olivarez is the Physical Plant Supervisor for Nueces Electric Cooperative. He came onboard to NEC in 2009 as a Meter Collector for the Meter Department. After three years as a Meter Collector, Jesus was promoted to Physical Plants Supervisor in 2012. As the Physical Plants Supervisor, Jesus ensures the operation and maintenance of the facilities, building and grounds, and fleet and inspects electrical systems for proper operation and maintenance. Jesus earned his AAS in Occupational Safety in May 2021 and his AAS Building Maintenance Applied Technology in August 2016.

Roberto Hinds, I.T. Supervisor

Brandon Brown, Metering Supervisor

Brandon Brown serves as the Metering Supervisor for NEC, bringing extensive field experience and technical expertise to his role. He joined NEC in 2021 after more than a decade working in the oilfield and industrial wash equipment industries, where he served as a Lead Field Technician, before spending 4 years as a Meter Tech for NEC. In his current position, Brandon oversees the installation, reading, testing, and maintenance of meters throughout the NEC system. He also manages NEC’s Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which plays a critical role in providing accurate meter readings for billing and delivering outage notifications to the Outage Management System used by the Operations Department. Through his work, he helps ensure the reliability, safety, and efficiency of the NEC system while supporting quality service for NEC members.