The board of directors at Albemarle Electric Membership Corporation has appointed Gary Ray as the co-op’s general manager. Ray replaces Brad Furr, who resigned last November.

Reporting to the board, Ray is responsible for overseeing all functions of the electric cooperative. A graduate of N.C. State University, Ray worked three years for Albemarle EMC as manager of engineering. Prior to coming to Albemarle EMC, he served 21 years at Jones-Onslow EMC in Jacksonville.

“The board had a strong pool of candidates from which to choose,” said L.A. Harris, president of Albemarle EMC. “The board felt that Gary’s engineering background and knowledge of the cooperative’s infrastructure made him an ideal fit to fill the general manager’s position.”

Zach Bray served as interim general manger prior to Ray’s promotion. “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Zach Bray, who did a superb job of serving as interim general manager.” Harris said.

Albemarle EMC has 36 employees and more than 12,000 members. The co-op’s service territory includes the counties of Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank and Camden and a small section of Currituck County.