Region II
The counties of Clarke, Fauquier, and Stafford, and the portions of Warren County and Rappahannock County east of U.S. Route 522.
Lucas Pipes
Lucas Pipes is an internationally recognized financial analyst, renowned for his deep understanding of global energy, metals, and power-intensive industries. He believes that two megatrends will shape local electricity markets for years to come.
First, the rapid growth of power intensive data centers, especially in and around REC’s service area, and exacerbated by the recent advancements in AI technology. Second, the energy transition and its demands on electricity transmission and more limited baseload generation.
As a Board member, Mr. Pipes will work diligently to see that REC and its members are best positioned to navigate this changing power market.
Mr. Pipes has been a Managing Director at B. Riley Securities since 2018. With more than 15 years of experience in institutional research, Mr. Pipes has established himself as a trusted advisor to leading financial institutions, investors, industry executives, and boards of directors worldwide.
His insights have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and CNBC, among others, solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in the field.
Mr. Pipes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton, where he graduated as a Palmer Scholar. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Mr. Pipes enjoys spending time with his wife and three young daughters, playing soccer, and tending to their farm in Rappahannock County. He was born in Central California, was raised in the Black Forest area in Germany, and lived in New York and Washington, D.C., before settling in Castleton, Virginia.
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Chris Shipe (Incumbent)
I believe strongly in the Cooperative Business Model, particularly for delivering essential services. I am grateful for the privilege of
serving the members of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative as a member of the Board of Directors since 2010. A core tenet of cooperative governance is prioritizing the interests of our members.
As a Board member and Chair, I have diligently worked to achieve this through fostering Board transparency, ensuring Board accessibility and striving for the optimal balance between affordable electric rates, reliable service, and sustainability of REC’s operations. Along with my service on the REC Board of Directors, for most of my professional career I have been in the leadership and governance of cooperatives, retiring as the President/CEO of Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company in March 2024.
During my career I have served in various capacities on insurance cooperative boards and industry committees, including my time as the Chairman of the Virginia Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ Property Casualty Conference. Since joining the REC Board of Directors, I have continued my education and have obtained the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certification.
I believe very strongly in servant leadership and giving back to my community. As a veteran of the United States Army, I was honored as Clarke County Veteran of the Year in 2019. I continue as the lay leader of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church and as a Board member of the John H. Enders Volunteer Fire Company. In my leisure time, I also enjoy participating in the Clarke County Community Band.
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