President and Chief Executive Officer
BIO🠮
We're Looking Out for You
Let us introduce the local men and women who are dedicated to serving you with excellence. We hope that meeting them will provide peace of mind and comfort in knowing you are a priority at YEC.
Pictured (l-r): Jim Salmon, Wendy Catledge, Jonathan Layfield, Carol Newman, Marc Howie, Craig Spencer, Ben Jones, Porter Gable, Phil Leake, and Patty Moss.
Leadership Team
Craig Spencer
About Craig
Craig Spencer began working at YEC in 1992 and currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Spencer transitioned from Vice President of Engineering, a role he has held since 2003, to Chief Operating Officer (COO) after the board of director’s decision to appoint Craig as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June of 2024.
Craig graduated from the University of South Carolina where he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering. Craig grew up in Hickory Grove and now lives in Smyrna with his wife, Susan. Craig enjoys traveling, reading, working with his hands, and spending time with his wife and 3 children.
Craig says, “I enjoy working for the co-op because everything that we do is designed to take care of our members and improve the communities where we all live. I’m honored to be a part of an organization that delivers on its mission.”
Craig Spencer’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer officially began on June 11, 2024, following the retirement of E. Paul Basha.
Wendy Catledge
Vice President of Member Services
BIO🠮
About Wendy
Wendy Catledge began working at YEC in 2004 and currently serves as our Vice President of Member Services. Before coming to the co-op and in her tenure here, she has always worked in customer service because of her passion for helping people. Between growing her employees and focusing on exceeding our members’ expectations, she always strives to bring a positive outlook on her work and her life.
Porter W. Gable
Vice President of Communications and Outreach
BIO🠮
About Porter
Porter has been with YEC since 2008 and currently serves as the Vice President of Communications and Outreach. She grew up in Smyrna, SC, and attended Wofford College where she earned her BA in Finance. Porter received her MBA from Queens University and holds the national cooperative designation of Certified Cooperative Communicator from NRECA. She and her husband, Jordan, live in downtown York with their daughter, Ava Wallace. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, listening to live music and cooking for friends and family.
Porter says, “Any day I am able to tell the co-op story in a creative way is a great day. I am proud to work for an organization that works to improve the quality of life for people in our communities and that puts exceptional service and kindness above all else.”
Marc Howie
Vice President of Community Development
BIO🠮
About Marc
Robert Marcus (Marc) Howie is the Vice President of Community Development at YEC. He grew up in York and attended Winthrop University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Communications. He currently resides in Fort Mill with his wife Leslie and their two daughters Annie and Phoebe Jane. When he's not in the office, Marc enjoys spending time with his family, biking and hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway, and listening to and playing music.
Marc says, "It is indeed great to work for a company that has such a deep respect for its past and vision for the future. We not only provide a quality electric service to our members, but also help improve the quality of life for so many in our area."
Jonathan Layfield
Vice President of Finance
BIO🠮
About Jonathan
Jonathan Layfield has been with YEC since 2020 and currently serves as the Vice President of Finance. After receiving his BA in finance from the University of South Carolina, he moved to York, where he now lives with his wife, Taylor, and their two dogs, Zola and Deebo.
Jonathan says, “I enjoy learning from and mentoring my team so we can continue taking care of our membership. We take pride in being fiscally responsible and good stewards of our members’ money.”
When not at work, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, especially by the water. Whether near a lake or at a beach, you can often find Jonathan with a fishing pole in hand.
Phil Leake
Vice President of Operations
BIO🠮
About Phil
Phil Leake is the Vice President of Operations at YEC. Born and raised in York, Phil received his BS in Sports Management from High Point University and has been with York Electric since 2000. He and his wife, Brittany, have 3 children and enjoy camping together and being active in their church. In his free time, Phil also enjoys exercising and taking on home-improvement projects.
Phil says, "The most rewarding part of working at YEC is being part of a team that works tirelessly to help improve the lives of our members. In overseeing our Operations group, I find enjoyment and pride in seeing my fellow employees grow, mature, learn, and give their all to look out for our members by providing service they can rely on."
Patty Moss
Vice President of Human Resources
BIO🠮
About Patty
Patty Moss is the Vice President of Human Resources at YEC. She has been with York Electric since 2000. After majoring in Psychology at Winthrop University, Patty worked in the fields of education, social work, and accounting before finding her calling in Human Resources. Patty has been a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2007 and holds both SHRM-CP and PHR certifications. Patty is proud to be a part the York Electric Management Team providing leadership in the areas of employee relations, benefits administration, policy design, compensation, and compliance. She was born and raised in Clover, SC and currently lives in Sharon, SC with her husband, Steven. Together, Patty and Steven have 2 sons, Nathan and Corbin, 2 daughters-in-law, Amanda and Emily, and 3 granddaughters, Graylin, Callie, and Pressley.
Jim Salmon
Vice President of Information Services
BIO🠮
About Jim
Jim Salmon has been with YEC since 2013 and currently serves as the Vice President of Information Services. He grew up in northern New Jersey and moved to Greenville, South Carolina in the mid-90s to complete his college education at Furman University. He moved to Rock Hill, SC and was hired as a K-12 computer teacher in early 1998. During the summer of 2000, Jim was offered a job at Comporium Communications where he worked as part of their Information Technology Group until early 2013.
Jim says, “I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity I have each day to serve YEC members as well as provide for my family.”
One of Jim's favorite activities is spending time with loved ones at home and whenever he has time to travel. Jim appreciates the fact that York Electric is the kind of organization where he can grow professionally, work with great people, and, most importantly, where he is able to serve God by serving others.
Ben Jones
Vice President of Engineering
BIO🠮
About Ben
A lifelong resident of York, Ben graduated from York Comprehensive High School in 2013 before earning a BS in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University in 2017, an MBA from Winthrop University in 2020, and his Professional Engineering (PE) license in 2021. His journey with YEC began in high school as a part-time warehouse and underground crew worker, transitioning to a full-time Planning Engineer in 2017, and eventually earning his current role in 2024.
Ben lives in York with his wife, Chloe, and their daughter, Clara. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, tackling home improvement projects, officiating high school football games, cheering on the Clemson Tigers, and spending quality time with family and friends.
He says, "The most fulfilling part of my role is helping my team reach their full potential while managing and improving an electrical system that delivers reliable service to our members. It’s rewarding to contribute to both the growth of our team and the well-being of our community.”
Carol Newman
Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and the Board of Trustees
BIO🠮
About Carol
Carol Newman joined YEC in September 2020 and serves as the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and the Board of Trustees. She has a BA degree in Organizational Management. She is a Rock Hill native and worked at Piedmont Medical Center for 20 years prior to coming to work for YEC. She and her husband, Charlie have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys her church, faith, spending time with her family and friends and any outdoor activities.
Carol says, “that every job you do, you gain more experience – thus we never stop learning.” YEC has a strong culture based on humility, hunger, wisdom, and family which is a common denominator for a successful organization.