M. Ryan Thomas, General Manager

A lifelong resident of East Texas hailing from Livingston, Ryan Thomas has extensive financial experience, including having served as controller, financial reporting manager and chief financial officer. His deep East Texas roots have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s energy challenges and issues.

As Chief Financial Officer of ETEC, Thomas coordinates and manages all aspects of the organization’s accounting and financial activities. Since joining ETEC in 2006, he has secured financings of over $800 million, which have allowed the cooperative to participate in seven additional sources of power. Thomas has utilized his experience and knowledge to coordinate and negotiate the financial aspects of potential power plant ownership opportunities.

Thomas is ETEC's representative on the HCPP Management Committee and the ISES2 Marketing Committee, and serves as ETEC’s representative on the Lake Texoma Advisory Committee.

Thomas earned his Master of Science in Accounting from Texas A&M University, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University.

He and his wife, Lee Ann have two children, and reside in Nacogdoches. Ryan serves as a deacon with the First Baptist Church, and also chairs the Personnel Committee, and served as past chairman of the church Budget and Finance Committee. He now serves as a church Royal Ambassador Leader and has made two trips to Ecuador to participate in mission trips.

Carrie Hawkins

Carrie Hawkins serves as the Chief Financial Officer for East Texas Electric Cooperative. A graduate of Lamar University with dual bachelor degrees in both accounting and finance, Carrie is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas.

Hawkins has worked as a senior auditor, accounting manager and assistant controller, providing her with a diverse financial background. As Chief Financial Officer for ETEC, Carrie coordinates and manages all aspects of the organization’s accounting and financial activities. She is committed to implementing new and improved processes to better serve ETEC and its cooperative members.

Carrie currently serves as the Plum Point Accounting Committee Chair, overseeing financial and budgeting activities of the jointly-owned generation facility.

She and her husband, RJ, have two children, and have lived in East Texas since 2005. Carrie is involved in multiple civic organizations, including the Junior League of Lufkin and the Pineywoods Cattle Baron’s Gala, a benefit for the American Cancer Society. An active volunteer in the community, she is also involved in local team sports by coaching and mentoring children.

Rhett Reid

Rhett Reid serves as ETEC’s director of Transmission Operation & Planning. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Rhett is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.

He also holds the position of Vice Chair for the IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference, an organization that provides a technical platform for the exchange of pertinent and relevant technical knowledge within rural electrical utilities. As Vice Chair, Reid is responsible for a 4-year plan to host the group’s upcoming national conference.

Prior to ETEC, Rhett was employed with Rusk County Electric Cooperative for 15 years, and served as the Engineering Manager for the cooperative. He planned, operated, and maintained over 3,800 miles of distribution in 5 counties.

Another important professional role for Rhett is as Chair of the Electric Cooperative Engineering Association in Texas. Understanding the changing industry is an important focus for Rhett, and he feels his experience has prepared him well for the future planning and operation of the electric grid in East Texas.

Born and raised in Carthage Texas, Rhett is proud to call East Texas home.  He and his wife, Beth, and their two children reside in Henderson.  Rhett volunteers as part of his church ministries, as well as coaching local team sports.