KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kayla Desroches/KMXT
Four people are up for three seats on the Kodiak Electric Association’s Board of Directors. There are a total of nine elected board members and each seat is for a term of three years.
Kodiak Area Native Association project coordinator Tyler Kornelis is the one candidate who’s never served on the KEA Board of Directors before.
He’s currently on the Kodiak Harvest Food Co-op Board, the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and the City of Kodiak’s Economic Development Special Committee.
He says the community could benefit from electing a newcomer to the board of directors.
“I think there’s a risk in continuing with KEA’s sustainability in the long-term without a transition to younger people that have maybe a little less experience that can learn from those that are on the board.”
And there’s a lot of experience there.
The three incumbents include current board chairman Cliff Davidson, who says he’s been serving for roughly 20 years. He says there’s a standard of providing board members with the right preparation and information to help guide KEA.
“I think we have an excellent board, and I attribute that to the fact that the board believes very earnestly in education and training and going to conferences and meeting with colleagues throughout the industry.”
Another incumbent, Mike Brechan, has held a seat on the board of directors for 30 years and serves on its Engineering and Technology Committee.
“And I’m running again because I enjoy it. That’s the first thing. We have a really good board, and I like to think I can contribute my expertise in engineering and my experience in business and experience [in] the utility in the decision making process that the board goes through in setting policy for our utility.”
He says if re-appointed, he’s looking forward to seeing the expansion of the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project, which is one of the initiatives he’s participated in during his term.
The fourth candidate, commercial fisherman Stosh Anderson, says he joined the board in 2001. He says he’s served as secretary treasurer for many years and has been involved in the design, engineering, and finance of the corporation.
“I think I’ve been able to contribute to find solutions through the board process in conjunction with management to find good solutions, cost effective solutions to implement for the benefit of the community.”
KEA is sending out its voting packets to its members this week and results will be shared at the annual membership meeting on April 23 at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium.
