Fredericksburg, Va. — Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) has hired Benjamin Chang as the Cooperative’s Director – Hyperscale Infrastructure Projects.

In his new role, Chang is the principal executive leading data center infrastructure growth and the technical aspects of other related initiatives.

“Chang’s focus will be projects that require large load capacity, like our current data center projects,” said Lee Brock, REC’s Principal Engineering Manager.

“The demand for large load capacity projects continues to increase year over year, and Chang will play a pivotal role in working closely with transmission owners, contractors, large commercial members and REC personnel while overseeing the design and construction of the substations that are required to serve each of those members.”

Chang has 15 years of extensive background in commercial nuclear power generation through work with various operating utilities, including Constellation Energy, Exelon Corp, and Dominion Energy. He has held leadership roles in power plant operations, training, and  integrated work management.

Chang holds a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Military Institute, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration from Old Dominion University. Chang is also a Licensed Senior Reactor Operator with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He served 10 years of active-duty service as a commissioned Submarine Warfare Officer and achieved multiple U.S. Navy Nuclear watch station and engineering qualifications.

REC provides electric service to 180,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.