Results of director elections, as well as a look at our energy future will be a part of the La Plata Electric Association annual meeting on Saturday, May 7 at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort Event Center.
The annual meeting is free and open to all LPEA members. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the business meeting commencing at 10:30 a.m. A complimentary luncheon follows the business meeting.
"It's the one time during the year that our membership can join together, see friends and neighbors and learn more about your rural electric cooperative that is truly part of everything you do," says CEO Mike Dreyspring. "We're also very honored to have industry specialist Greg Aliff as our keynote speaker."
Aliff is an energy advisor from Reston, Virginia. For nearly 40 years prior he served with Deloitte LLP, most recently as Vice Chairman and Senior Partner. During his tenure he led Deloitte's U.S. Sustainability Practice and was Deloitte's U.S. Energy & Resources Industry Leader for 10 years.
Aliff co-authored the annually updated industry treatise "Accounting for Public Utilities," also authoring a series of papers (the "Math Series") that examines the foundational changes occurring in the U.S. electric industry that will shape the successful electric business models of the future.
"We have changes coming in the industry," says Dreyspring. "We want our members to be informed."
In addition to Aliff, presentations during the LPEA annual meeting will include reports from Dreyspring, Board President Michael Rendon, Treasurer Karen Barger, Attorney Barry Spear, CREA Representative Jeff Berman and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Representative Joe Wheeling. The membership will have an opportunity to query the board on topics of concern during the Q&A period.
Election results in three districts are expected to be announced prior to the complimentary lunch. In accordance with LPEA's bylaws, annually one seat in each of LPEA's four districts comes up for election. This year in District 3 (City of Durango), Doug Lyon is the only nominee, thus the election in that district is cancelled and Lyon will assume the seat of retiring incumbent Michael Rendon.
District 1 (Archuleta County) candidates are Mike Alley, incumbent Mark Garcia, and Calum McNeil. District 2 (south and west La Plata County) candidates are Dan Huntington and Lori Schell. District 4 (north and east La Plata County) candidates are John Beebe, Ron Bishop and incumbent Jack D. Turner.
Ballots were mailed to cooperative members on April 15 and must be received by 4 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at the La Plata County Clerk's office (Bodo Park), at LPEA's offices in Durango or Pagosa Springs, the La Plata County Administration office in Downtown Durango, or the county clerk's office in Bayfield Town Hall. Members can also vote at the annual meeting prior to 10:30 a.m.
LPEA members who register at the meeting will receive a $5 credit on their electric bill plus are eligible for a wide array of door prizes and giveaways. Volunteer parking attendants will direct members to the most convenient parking at Sky Ute Casino and Resort, and golf carts will be available to assist those who have difficulty walking.
For additional information, contact LPEA at 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.
