John Padalino

John Padalino is the General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer at Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC), where he oversees legal, regulatory, and strategic operations supporting innovation in energy, broadband, and technology. He played a central role in developing Apolloware, BEC’s advanced energy management platform, and in launching the cooperative’s on-bill financing program for energy efficiency and distributed energy solutions.
Before joining BEC, John served in several senior roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service under President Obama. There, he managed a $65 billion loan portfolio and launched national initiatives to modernize rural infrastructure, promote energy efficiency, and expand broadband access. He has also held leadership positions in private legal practice, advising utilities, cooperatives, and nonprofits on regulatory compliance, project financing, and strategic growth.
John holds a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law and a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. He brings a pragmatic, people-first approach to leadership, rooted in public service, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to cooperative values.