Hon. Jo Ann Emerson

Jo Ann Emerson is the fifth CEO in the history of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, whose members in 47 states provide electric service to 42 million Americans.

Prior to joining NRECA, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 to 2013 for the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri. There, she chaired the Subcommittee on Financial Services Appropriations and led numerous rural and economic development initiatives on behalf of her constituents. She co-chaired the bipartisan Congressional Hunger Caucus and served on the Board of the Congressional Hunger Center.

Jo Ann is married to Ron Gladney, and they share the joy of eight children and four grandchildren.