Richard Wallen

Richard Wallen is an accomplished executive in the energy sector, currently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Oglethorpe Power Corporation since March 2025. Wallen has a strong focus on safety and people management, overseeing critical functions such as generation, fuels, safety compliance, and capital projects. Prior to this role, Wallen was the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer at Grant County Public Utility District, leading a team of over 850 associates in the generation and distribution of carbon-free hydropower. Wallen has held various senior leadership positions, including Plant Manager at Oglethorpe Power Corporation and Operations and Maintenance Manager at Siemens and Dominion Energy. Wallen's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Communication from West Virginia University and an MBA from Clayton State University. Additionally, Wallen served in the US Navy as a Power Plant Operator from 1988 to 1999.